The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of play in the overall development of any child. There are limitless ways for kids to play, but many of the avenues have moved online and onto screens. Free play away from online games and screens is really the best thing any child can do on a regular basis.
Montessori stepping stones are one of the many educational games children can enjoy while they play.
There are plenty of ways to teach a child, and lots of things to teach them. But studies have shown that the best teacher for kids is…free play! Playing is a huge benefit to them as they learn the following items through their play time:
When children play, they explore and experiment. They are allowed to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Those critical thinking skills become a central part of their life as they grow and age.
Children have wonderful imaginations, and allowing them free time to play enhances their self-expression and overall innovative thinking. Those are the types of skills every adult wants to have.
Any child development game is going to include communication. As children play, they talk through ideas, negotiate, express emotions, and use their language.
You never know what might come up in a child development game of free play. Changing situations require children to think outside the box and adapt to situations that arise. The cognitive ability is huge as they grow.
Stepping stones for kids are one of the many educational games a child can play during their free time. Not only will they have fun, but they can build. Here are a few to consider:
Children are learning with the stones, but they are also hopping around, using their coordination, and testing their fine motor skills.
It’s hard to wear a child out, and they need as much physical activity as they can get in a day. Stepping stones for kids allow them to play, learn, and get some of their physical energy out of the way.
You want your child to grow into a confident adult. As they achieve goals and use the stones in educational ways, it can boost their self-esteem.
There are nearly endless ways to use stepping stones to spark learning. Have your child stand in the center of a circle of stones, then have them hop to the shape you call out as fast as they can. Create shape, color, or number recognition games to help them practice the basics while they jump around. On a nice day, create an adventure trail around your yard. Your child can follow the stones while learning about logs, trees, bugs, and other outdoor items.
It’s best to have a flat, level surface for your stepping stones. If you place them outside, you may want to put mulch or something else around them to ensure a good surface area.
If you want to have stepping stones inside to move around, keep them in a box or bag so you can easily transport them from place to place.
Any kind of free play is going to benefit your child in the long run, but educational play helps even more. Children can garner a love for learning at a young age, which leads them to a curiosity for the world around them. That’s a lesson that, when learned young, can help them at any age.
Playing with stepping stones has a natural anti-stress effect on a child, which only promotes positive emotional and mental health. A little play can go a long way.
Forbes says that play is a critical factor in the future of entrepreneurship. It helps to develop children’s brains so they can think critically and problem solve, among other things.
Every parent wants nothing but the best for their child. You might be surprised to learn that free play is one of the most beneficial things you can allow your child to do. It’s not a waste of time. It has huge benefits to their physical, emotional, and mental health. It can even impact their future life and career path.
Little Partners® can help you find the right stepping stones for your child (and your budget). Can you come up with new games for your child to enjoy with the Montessori stepping stones?
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