Children are an endless stream of energy and it certainly can be challenging to find ways to keep them entertained and happy. While offering a movie or favorite TV show can be fun, entertaining and a nice break, a steady diet of video anything is really… think about it… virtual life.
Children need to play.
Although it is often useful to provide activities that directly promote learning, realize that preschoolers learn by playing. That is what they do. You can’t keep them from it. They are little learning machines, soaking up non-stop information about the world and their place in it. You provide healthy food to grow their bodies. You provide healthy activities to grow their minds and bodies as well. If there is a variety provided, their interest will draw them to what they need to grow healthy and strong.
Play is how children explore and learn about the world, relationships, and themselves. One of the most useful ways to find activities for your preschooler is to notice what they are already interested in!
When my sons were 2, 5 and 8 they ate, slept and breathed superheroes. Batman and Robin, Superman, Spider Man were my constant companions in those days. I will never forget the day they all three came “flying” out of their room in their knit pj’s with their superhero underwear on top, sporting pillow case capes and bare feet. POW ! BAM! WHAM! The bad guys didn’t stand a chance!
We made a bat cave out of the box the dishwasher came in. We watched super hero movies together and read superhero comics. We made up our own superheros and created costumes for them and they played super heroes for countless hours. I only wish I had taken more photos!
While visiting my oldest son yesterday, he reminded me how he and his super hero brothers would take big bites of onions. This is where they derived their superpowers, like Popeye with his spinach. In his mid-twenties now and expecting a child of his own in August, he still remembers the fun and companionship of playing superheroes with his brothers. I come to the same conclusion now that I did then. A few chewed up onions was a small price to pay for the play value my boys got from these flights of communal imagination.
Here are 3 simple steps to Captivating your Preschooler
1- Ask yourself… what does my child find interesting?
shoes…bugs…dinosaurs…dolls…plants…baking…babies…chocolate milk…farm animals… cats… apples… plants…”writing”…singing…trees…cars…shoes …
my list could go on and on, but it is up to you to observe your child.
What draws your child’s interest when you are at home, out on a walk, at the mall, at the grocery store? Make a list of things that seem to fascinate your child.
2- Add some ideas, materials and direction.
See where you can expand on your child’s interest…
Go to the library and look for a book.
What could you cook together ?
What could you build? Or make from materials at hand?
Big boxes are wonderful for all kinds of preschooler play.
Where could you go to see more of this? Watch the newspaper, check online for activities, exhibits and things of interest in your area.
Could you make a costume?
Could you enlist the help of dolls and stuffed animals
Could you make simple decorations for their room ?
Could you use a toy as a prop?
Create a play or a puppet show?
A puppet stage can be as simple as draping a sheet over the dining room table. Puppets can be as simple as cutout paper glued to a Popsicle stick
Write your own book? Fold pieces of paper in half and staple. You can take dictation and have your budding artist illustrate.
3- Let your child lead the play.You supervise and make sure your child is safe but within reason let them have the reins and watch and enjoy where their imagination takes them.
Remember that it’s the process not the product .
Your preschooler will typically care more about the activity than the perfection of the finished product. It is the activity itself that fuels their interest and creates the bonding with you and playmates. It is within the exploration that the learning takes place. Don’t get hung up on a finished product, but enjoy and display them if they come about.
The sky is the limit with a preschoolers imagination so get ready to soar! Drop me a line with some of your favorites activities and moments!
Here’s some great books that are packed with ideas for fun and learning…