We Play: Because Play is How Kids Learn

As part of my Types of Play series, I included a post entitled ‘More Than One Way to Play,’ about moving children who have a distinct preference for one type of play towards new discoveries in their play. For Immy, who loves imaginative play, I look for ways to extend her play preference to include new environments (like Little World) and inspirations from other forms of play (like Good, Clean Fun).

This week, this took the form of making a flowerpot house to sit beside the sandpit river which runs through the flowering jungle…

Which has led to snowy ranges for rolling down and mountainside swimming holes, and days and days of fun outdoor play in the sandpit.

It was so exciting to see so many new-to-We Play blogs joining in last week, welcome 🙂 I have had a few email requests for the We Play button code, so I am including it again here. You do not have to use the button in your post but I do ask that you at least include a text link back to the meme so that we can continue to build this fantastic learning through play community.

My favourite post from last week? Ooops, I have three! Sensory play fun, something special for early readers and something which looks good enough to eat!

Now it is your turn. What have you been playing this week???

Please read this post if it is your first time playing and remember, We Play is a place to link up actual play experiences. If you are viewing this post in a browser, you will need to click through to the actual post to see the We Play links.

Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.

Read more of Christie's adventures at https://childhood101.com.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

Kebeni says
November 15, 2010 at 11:09 PM

ah you can't beat a good sandpit
life in a pink fibro says
November 15, 2010 at 11:25 PM

A castle? A sandpit? What more could you need?
•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥.Trish.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• says
November 16, 2010 at 3:00 AM

The sandbox is the most played with item in our backyard ...great idea.
Kathy says
November 16, 2010 at 5:12 AM

Back in this week - halfway through NaNoWriMo, I decided I'd better poke my head up and acknowledge the rest of the world!

Great post, Christie ... as usual ;-)
katepickle says
November 16, 2010 at 7:11 AM

Oh I LOVE the bucket house... perfect castle!! I must find me some cheap buckets and make some for my boy who is suddenly interested in knights and castles!
Martianne says
November 16, 2010 at 12:51 PM

We love sandpits, too. The only "problem"? The sand always ends up being carried off to other parts of the yard! ;)
Caz says
November 18, 2010 at 5:01 AM

That flower pot/bucket castle is awesome, we have to make some! Thanks for a great idea and the chance to link up :-)
Jackie H. says
November 30, 2010 at 5:29 PM

A few months ago you wrote about a similar topic of using the type of play that interests your child to introduce a new type of play (You said it better than that ;) Anyway, I started trying it out with my son. He NEVER engaged in imaginary play. Just today I was watching him play ocean on my bed-- for like 20 minutes. He had a whole plot and imaginary characters and all. I originally introduced imaginary play while we were building with blocks, something he loves, and he has transferred it to another area and is really taking off. Thanks so much for your wonderful suggestions!!

We Play: Because Play is How Kids Learn

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