Play-way Teaching – How to Use Playground Structures as Learning Tools

24th February 2022

Over the years, teaching and learning methodologies have come a long way. Parents and teachers are open to the idea of experimenting with innovative educational methods. Play-way teaching is an ideal approach for young children. They learn better than in a conventional classroom environment. You can take them to the playground and use the structures there as learning tools and aids. Surprisingly, they can help children learn several key life skills. Let us explain how to leverage playground structures as learning tools.  

Encourage flexible thinking

Spending time on the playground encourages flexible thinking in the little ones. They learn to recognize roadblocks, find ways to resolve them, take alternate paths, or return later. These skills bolster the early development of a child in several ways. They enable kids to deal with the challenges they may face ahead. For example, they learn to think flexibly when seeing a slide with several others already waiting their turn. It empowers them with conflict navigation skills, making them ready to become negotiators in real-life situations. 

Educate about safety

Young children must learn the importance of safety, and the playground is the best place to teach it. You can use structures and games to teach the meaning of safety and best practices they can follow to be safe. Talking about picking age-appropriate structures, not pushing others, and not wearing loose clothing or jewellery can give small yet crucial lessons on safety. The best part is that the little ones are more likely to remember and imbibe them in real life. 

A lesson on eco-consciousness 

A toddler is too young to understand the meaning of eco-consciousness, but play-way creates a strong foundation. Local parks and schools can do their bit by opting for eco-friendly commercial playground equipment for their play areas. As kids spend time around these structures, explain what they are made of and how they are good for the earth. You will not have to struggle much to make the little ones understand the value of keeping the surroundings clean and green. 

Boost physical strength and coordination

The time spent on the playground is valuable. It enhances the physical strength and coordination of young kids. Swinging on the overhead climbers increases endurance and flexibility and improves depth perception. As kids get physically stronger, their confidence grows and coordination improves. They get better with everyday tasks and experience faster physical growth. Early cognitive skills come as a bonus for the young ones.

Develop social skills

Spending time around playground structures is more about life skills your child will need to navigate the world. Being around other children enables them to develop social skills, but they also learn to play alone. They become more confident and interact better with peers, siblings, and teachers. At the same time, getting out of their comfort zones becomes a breeze.  

Playtime does more than bolster the physical growth and strength of children. It sets them up for learning life skills that are even more crucial than conventional education. Not surprisingly, parents and teachers are more than happy to let the little ones play! 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE TO POSTS




All rights reserved. Please do not take images or content from this site without written permission.