We’ve been talking a lot about play-based learning. Between our regular kid’s crafts and our new eBook, we have been exploring all the different ways kids can learn through play. While it might seem intimidating to some, there are several household items that inspire learning through play.
5 Household Items that Inspire Learning
1 ~ Water. The possibilities of play with just simple water are endless. Throw in some containers and they can learn floating, sinking, scooping, filling, pouring, etc. Add some oil, and you’ve expanded the activity to another level. Watching oil and water interact can generate several questions and encourage some great conversation. Want yet another level of play? Drip a couple drops of food coloring to the mix! See what happens!
2 ~ Recyclables. Have you ever noticed how a child can be in a room full of toys and they choose a cardboard box to play with? To a child, this is more than just a box. They are building their creativity, symbolic thought process, and ability to problem solve. Sorting with egg cartons, create car tracks with boxes, use plastic containers to stack.
3 ~ Food. From dying salt to stringing noodles, spreading peanut butter to helping with dinner. Food can teach everything from fine motor skills to science. Have your kids bake a loaf of bread. They can help pour the ingredients, measure each item, watch the wet and dry ingredients mix together, help to knead the dough together, watch what happens as the yeast rises, and see how it changes after it bakes. Plus the reward of getting to eat what they make is so much fun.
4 ~ Kitchen Utensils. Spoons, scoops, bowls, funnels. Toss them in the bathtub, let them play with them in the back yard, or just hand them over and let them decide. The possibilities are endless.
5 ~ Linens. From capes to forts. Kids are building their imaginations, engineering forts, or even just learning how to fold. A look through your linen closet can provide an afternoon of play-based learning.
Kids are pretty resourceful. So giving them some household items that inspire learning may be all they need.
Lauren
Wednesday 8th of June 2016
My kids love playing with any and all kitchen utensils! When there is something I need for actual cooking, sometimes I have to go into Mila's playhouse to find it! ha!