What can They Learn from That?

I think it’s very important — no matter what you may do professionally — to keep alive some of the healthy interests of your youth.
Children’s play is not just kids’ stuff. Children’s play is rather the stuff of most future inventions.

~ Mr. Fred Rogers

In the world of preschool education, we often get asked questions about what children are learning from the daily activities in class that can be seen as “play”. Recently, we spent a good part of class playing board games such as Chutes and Ladders and Candyland.

From playing board games, children can learn how to take turns, follow directions, patience (while waiting for their turn), sportsmanship, as well as colors, numbers, and shapes that they will need to know when they get to Kindergarten!

Recently, in our office, the older adults (like me) were fondly remembering playing games and having game night with our own children when they were young. One of the younger staff members was talking about playing Memory with her 3 year old girls and said “It was hard!” I shared a tip from this older mom to her…. It’s much easier when beginning to play games with your children to shorten the game a bit. Try taking out 5-1o matching sets with the Memory game and start with that. Each time you play, add an extra set or two and you will be amazed at how quickly you will be using the whole set of cards to play the game!

Take time to get down on the floor (or sit at the table) to play games with your children. Your modeling of the aforementioned skills as well as the time spent with your children will be some of the greatest lessons you can give to your children and you will have fun!