The game as a learning tool
Image source
Through play, the senses, memory, attention, expression, creativity and even autonomy develop.
The emotional relationship is important through play and self-esteem is stimulated in the same way, because when you play with other children you learn to manage the feelings, to acquire personality, to become independent and to benefit from the development of self-esteem. The game encourages exploration and results in healthy growth in intelligence.
Children discover the world through interaction, venture into exploration; It is essential to respect the capacity of children within each stage without rushing, forcing and without pressing.
When we talk about playing, we refer to an emotional and social experience that produces joy and passion.
While the child plays, grows psychologically and gradually assimilate the functioning of the place to which they belong. The current world is constantly evolving to adapt the games to the different stages of children's growth.
Children use toys as tools to decipher the world, and adapt to it, although sometimes it is a complicated process. When playing, they express themselves by bonding with the environment that surrounds them.
What is the way to stimulate learning through the game?
The games should not be elaborated or complex, by means of the most basic and simple games the diversion is achieved, they attract the attention, which allows a great capacity of concentration and therefore of learning.
Benefits of the game as a learning value
- It awakens curiosity, which is nothing more than the motor of learning.
- It provides joy and satisfaction.
- Free will.
- Sensory development.
- Coordination of movements.
- Personal improvement, because the more the child practices, the better the result will be.
The games and their objectives
The understanding, the maneuver and the acquisition of knowledge through the game are generally given in the following way, for example:
Game of legos, building blocks. We work on perception, fine motor skills, but if in the same game the representatives or educators interact, they will work on the speed of processing. It is important that an adult gets involved in the game so that the child can develop more adequately.
Children usually play with cars and girls with kitchens, among others, and this develops skills to adapt to their needs.
This helps in the proper use of instruments, tolerance to frustration and the experience of achievement that increases self-esteem.
Activities that develop the value of learning through play since childhood.
Empty toy box to achieve a specific objective. It is about learning to play and order, not just doing things for simple pleasure.
For example: you must let empty a basket of toys that contains cubes, rings, triangles, to play and, at the same time, teach him to separate and place each one where appropriate. When they master the art of taking out or expanding, they will learn to return things to their place of origin, therefore, we must have patience and teach them how to return to the place where they were taken.
The technique of the game by drawing. When they play through drawing, they learn not only to draw or scribble, this is one of the first steps to follow, but they not only stimulate their fine motor skills, but also their creativity and imagination.
Recommendations for the game: not only drawings with crayons, you must use non-toxic paints to paint with the fingers and toes, allowing them to feel and experience the different textures.
Table games. With this type of games children foster coordination, spatial and analytical thinking. Children can experiment, build and express. This is carried out in the following way: Experience ideas, build concepts and express feelings.
Image source
As a teacher or representative, you should not miss the opportunity to participate at any time to play with children, as it is in our hands to take advantage of available resources, moments and materials of daily life to promote the game effectively for learning.
