Today I am issuing you a challenge. A challenge to trust play. And I am hoping you will join us!
Play is so important to the development of children that it is included as a right for every child by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights.
Play allows children to learn in a holistic way. They use language, creativity, imagination, physical skills, thinking and reasoning abilities, social learning and emotional strength as they play. Play is essential to healthy brain development, and overall good health and well being. It helps children to develop new competencies, it builds confidence and resiliency, decision making skills, even brain connections. Oftentimes play is free play but play with a loving, interested adult is important too.
Play is integral to academic development. It supports children as they learn, at home and school. It helps children to adjust to school. It enhances learning readiness, learning skills, behaviours and attitudes.
Play is learning. Play is simple joy. Play is childhood. Why wouldn’t we want our children to play?
And yet, too often we forget the value of play. We replace time to play with organised activities. We lose the balance. in the busyness of life. Which is why I am issuing the challenge to trust play. Trust that when they play, our children are learning important skills, behaviours and attitudes. So here’s my challenge to you:
What is #trust play and how does it work?
#trustplay is about noticing the little interactions and playful moments that you observe your children enjoying. It’s about cherishing play and the learning that occurs as your children play. Each week I will share a #trustplay theme for the week. You will be able to see it here on the blog, or find it on Instagram or Facebook.
What should I share?
Any playful image that you feel fits the weekly theme. You can share as many photos depicting the weekly theme as you wish.
How do I share?
If you are on Instagram, just add the hashtag #trustplay to your photos to join.
If you are sharing on Facebook, you can share on your personal page or on the Childhood 101 Facebook page.
You can also share on your own blog if you like. Each week I will highlight my favourite ideas on social media, sharing them on Instagram and Facebook.
This week’s theme is COUNTING.
You can catch the meaning behind my #trustplay counting photo today over on Instagram! Can’t wait to see your photos too.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
