Towards the end of every Happy Little Signers baby and toddler signing class you can sense the excitement and anticipation as ‘The big rainbow bag’ of toys appears. As it’s emptied into the middle of the mats you can see the wide-eyed-wonder as the toys tumble onto the floor! But why do we have dedicated free play time at the end of every class?
Free play is incredibly beneficial for young children in several ways:
1. Cognitive Development: During free play, children use their imagination, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities. They learn to make decisions, explore different possibilities, and think creatively. This helps to develop their cognitive abilities and enhances their overall mental development.
2. Emotional Well-being: Play is an outlet for children to express and regulate their emotions. It helps them cope with stress, anxiety, and frustration in a safe and enjoyable manner. By engaging in free play, children can experience joy, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment, which contribute to their overall emotional well-being.
3. Social Awareness: Parallel play (where the children play alongside each other rather than with each other) allows children to observe and learn from their peers, developing an understanding of social norms, behaviour, and communication skills. Through parallel play, children may gradually develop bonds and connections with their peers, setting the stage for future collaborative play and friendships.
4. Emotional Development: Play can help children regulate their emotions as they learn to share space, toys, and attention without direct interaction, promoting emotional awareness and self-control.
5. Language Development: As the adults (and children who have more developed speech and language) around them chat, children are exposed to conversations and language use that can enhance their vocabulary and language skills.
6. Imagination and Creativity: Free play allows children to unleash their imagination and creativity. They can create imaginary worlds, engage in pretend play, and explore different roles and scenarios. This fosters their cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and nurtures their creative thinking abilities.
Not all the benefits of our dedicated free play time are for the children though! It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to sit and chat with the other parents while I make you a hot cuppa and a biscuit!
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