The Power of Play: Part 2
By Sara Harker, Ba Education, ECE
The power of play is often emphasized in the early years of a child’s life but it’s importance can often be lost as the child ages. As a child grows their play will also grow and change but it will never lose its importance. Keep reading for some ideas on how to implement play in your elementary age children’s lives as well as with your adolescents.
Elementary
Ways to play at this age
· Squiggle Art: Children are encouraged to make their own picture which incorporates a squiggle on the page that was made by someone else.
· Eye Spy: Encourage children to spot new items in the environment as you play “Eye spy” in your house, outside or in the car.
· Ranking game: Gather a few different items from around the house. Have your child line them up, ranking them in order of any dimension you choose. After they finish they can explain why they ranked items the way they did.
· Storytelling: Give your child a one word prompt and ask them to tell you a story that includes the prompt.
Skills they can learn through play
· Imaginative Skills: Children will come up with new ideas as they participate in different games.
· Fine motor skills: Colouring and/or drawing encourages children to practise holding writing tools while adding lines and curves to their page in the process of creating a picture.
· Flexible thinking: Consider different possibilities for how to organize items or create something new.
· Empathy: Children practise their ability to view the world from another’s point of view.
· Cooperation: learn how to work with others and make compromises.
Adolescent
Ways to play at this age
· Card Games: play card games that involve concentration, strategy and fast reflexes such as Spoons, Slap and Oh Heck.
· One word story with a ball: One play starts by saying a single word while holding a ball. They then pass the ball to another player who has to repeat their word and then add their own word. This continues until players are able to create a coherent story.
· Blind fold Lego: A player builds a predetermined Lego structure while wearing a blind fold. They receive verbal instructions from the other player who is not wearing a blind fold.
Skills they can learn through play
· Working memory: Players have to remember different aspects in the games such as numbers or words in order to make quick decisions.
· Inhibitory control: Cut out distractions as many games require maximum concentration.
· Cognitive flexibility: Adapt thinking to include new information.
· Emotional regulation: Managing negative emotions that may come when players start to fall behind in the game or are eliminated from the round.
· Motor control: Using hand eye coordination and fast reflexes to effectively participate in the game.
As you take the time to focus on play each day your children’s executive function skills will improve as well as your own because you are never too old to play! These skills will allow you and your family to be more resilient to the challenges that arise in your lives. For more information or game ideas visit www.buildingbrains.ca
References