As I embark on my first attempt at towing a camper on my own for an all “girls” trip Up North, I cannot help but reflect on how my oldest son has been practicing towing things for most of his life.
For example, when he was in kindergarten and his little brother was still a toddler, I remember how he would drive around in his battery-operated pickup truck, towing his wagon, as his dad installed a makeshift hitch on the truck.
He drove that truck and trailer around with his little brother in the wagon (helmet on!), all around the backyard. He even knew how to parallel park and back it up properly without jackknifing it!
He also had a battery-operated toy Jeep Hurricane that had a radio and engine sounds. Needless to say, at twenty-one years old, he still drives a Jeep as it is his favorite vehicle. We had to put a helmet on his brother while he rode shotgun, as our oldest had a little trouble with slamming on the brakes instead of coming to a gradual stop.
A few years later, we bought both boys, who were four and eight at the time, real engine-powered four-wheelers (also known as quads/ATVs). Playing outdoors and riding those ATVs on marked trails helped them learn how to read signs, the rules of the road, and other basic driving skills they later put to use when they got their driver’s license.
Another example of learning through play was the toy vacuum and toy kitchen set. My younger son really enjoys eating and cooking, as he is very into weight training and fitness, so that toy kitchen gave him a jump-start. I also let both boys help me cook, which really gave them a solid foundation in preparing food and making healthy food choices.
Funny, well funny to me, to note that their chore today is vacuuming since I have a bad back and shoulders. Well, at least they enjoyed it when they were little!
According to the official United States Child Care government website, “Here are some ways that play supports healthy child development.
- Play encourages children’s brain development. It allows children to use their senses and promotes exploration and curiosity. Children learn to think creatively by using their imaginations and pretending, develop critical thinking skills through problem-solving, learn about cause and effect, and build memory skills.
- When children use their muscles and coordination during play, they strengthen their physical development.
- Children strengthen their large muscles, balance, and coordination through activities like running, jumping, skipping, climbing, and throwing and catching balls.
- When children play with their hands—like grasping toys, using modeling clay or play dough, doing puzzles, cutting paper, and drawing—they develop fine motor skills to use the small muscles in their hands and their fingers.
- Many social and emotional skills are fostered through children’s play. Children learn how to make friends, compromise, follow rules, handle their emotions when they become frustrated or upset, and build their confidence, self-esteem, and resilience.
- Language development is encouraged during children’s play as they talk about what they are doing, share their thoughts and ideas with those they are playing with, and build vocabulary as they listen to the words of others,”.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
Where do kids learn through play?
Even though I grew up as an only child with a single mom, we always had a house full of kids. Whether it was the little kids from the neighborhood my mom babysat, or her teenage siblings who lived with us periodically, or later, when she cared for those siblings’ babies and toddlers, by the time I became a mom myself, I had a good idea of how to care for little people. I could have used some more help during these teenage/early twenties years, but that’s a different article for a different client!
Through my humble experience, I learned that it does not matter whether your children go to private school, public school, or are homeschooled; learning through play (and all other learning, for that matter) starts in the home as early as infancy.
Take, for instance, the game of peek-a-boo. Not only is it fun to see your baby giggle with excitement, but it also teaches them an important skill: trust. They learn that even though they may not see you for a moment, you haven’t left them and you will be back.
As a GenX child, although my mom was very present and involved, she encouraged me to play on my own and use my imagination while she did the adulting. Once we GenXers became parents, we encouraged our children to play, but we also liked to play with them. I guess we never really grew up (ha, ha)!
The power of imagination and creativity
I can remember having quite an imagination as a child! I loved to play, create, and imagine the wildest dreams. Especially as an only child, the need to entertain myself required a broad imagination and the willingness to create.
Here are some of the ways I have used my imagination in my life:
- Play
- Music (percussion, guitar, piano, songwriting, singing)
- Painting and drawing
- Poetry
- Writing (for work today)
- Dancing
- Home design
- Cooking and culinary creativity (experimenting with Mediterranean-inspired recipes and meals)
- Garden design and cultivation
- Content creation and storytelling (translating lived experience into compelling articles)
- Lakeside and outdoor living spaces (designing and curating my sanctuary environment)
- Parenting and imaginative play (fostering creativity in my sons as they grew up)
- Puppet theater (I was inspired by seeing The Muppet Movie three times when it came out!)
Naturally, both of my sons are highly creative and were very imaginative as little boys, just like their mama. I also encouraged imaginative play and joined in the fun! To further grow our creativity and imagination, we all grew up watching Sesame Street and PBS Kids.
According to the experts at PBS (Public Broadcasting Station), “Creativity is the freest form of self-expression. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling for children than to be able to express themselves openly and without judgment.
The ability to be creative, to create something from personal feelings and experiences, can reflect and nurture children’s emotional health. The experiences children have during their first years of life can significantly enhance the development of their creativity,”.
Learning through play examples
In conclusion, play is more than fun; it builds confidence, creativity, practical skills, and lasting memories that shape children well beyond childhood.