“Active play assists a child’s overall physical development, including co-ordination, and healthy muscles and bones,” Sheila Degotardi - a lecturer at the Institute of Early Childhood at Sydney’s Macquarie University explains.
“In the ‘early childhood’ area we are not only concerned about increasing cases of obesity but also about children who may become ‘awkward’ or clumsy due to a lack of physical activity.
These issues can impact on the whole of their development.
“Physical play also has a great positive effect on children’s ideas of what it means to actually be healthy and active. Children and their families then learn that it should be a normal part of our daily lives to run around a play.”
And Sheila adds that there are vital reasons for encouraging children to have active brains as well.
“We often think of play being only in a physical sense, but it’s important that kids’ brains are active too,” she stresses. “Active thinking (doing puzzles, building blocks, pretend play and other ‘brain games’) teaches problem solving and exploring.
“If a child is watching television, most of the time they’re engaging in a passive way - they’re only taking stuff in. But if they’re allowed to partake in challenging play, it means they’re actively involved, and therefore are more in control of what they’re doing and learning. So psychologically, this helps with three vital areas - sensory input (being aware of one’s surroundings), perception (learning to process what they see, hear and feel) and spatial awareness (e.g., understanding space, distance, movement and speed).”
Sheila also says that what seems like the simple act of ‘mucking around’ with other kids, means they’re learning lifelong social tools.
“As it’s very rare for children to play by themselves all the time, it’s great for social skills,” she explains. “Play brings children together, even if kids don’t know each other they can become really good at just getting together and playing. This means they’re learning about themselves, other children and about society in general - what works and what doesn’t when it comes to relating to others.”
“As parents we often worry that we need to keep young children ‘entertained’, but I think we need to get away from that idea,” says Sheila.
“Just allow your children to play. A child is going to be far more active playing - at home or a park - than if they’re sitting in a car driving to somewhere, then being pushed around in a pram for hours.
“Young children learn best by being able to explore and imagine, with access to materials they can use to create.
“Give them the opportunity to use their imagination and follow their own interests. This can avoid the frustration of spending money on something you thought they were really going to enjoy … but didn’t.”
Ideas for keeping little kids entertained
* Go on a bus or train ride
“This is so exciting when it’s a new experience! You don’t necessarily need a destination, just enjoy a ride and the buzz of your ‘adventure’.”
* Dress-ups
“Playing dress-ups is brilliant for little kids’ imaginations. And you don’t need fancy ‘costumes’. Just go to any op-shop and give your child $5 to spend on anything they choose themselves. Then at home, have a dress-ups box that can be added-to constantly. The children might dress themselves, or dress their teddy bears or dolls and have tea parties. There is no right or wrong way to play, but let them lead.”
* Make music
“Everyone can have home-made musical instruments such as old plastic containers or saucepans and spoons. You can also make shakers by putting dried rice or pebbles into a plastic bottle. For really young kids, make sure you tape the lid tightly back on, so they can’t potentially swallow anything that’s a choking hazard.”
* Play dough
“Everyone loves playing with dough! And you can make your own. There are recipes on websites everywhere. Make sure you make a fresh batch every time and let the children use your rolling pin, or other safe items for moulding. It really is a lovely sensory experience to squish and squash!”
* Get crafty
“Any sort of craft activity really captures the imagination - old egg cartons can become crocodiles or ribbons become snakes. Just make sure you keep cardboard and other good, clean materials to use.”
* Gardening
“Lots of children unfortunately are growing up without their own green space these days. This is a concern because children then become more removed from the natural world.
“If you do have a garden it’s a wonderful thing for kids. Let them have their own ‘patch’ where they can plant their own plants and dig veggies and really get into the dirt. If you have a suitable bush, prune a little area so they can make a magical cubbyhouse!”
* Have a tea party
“There is so much research about the benefits of pretend play, for children’s imagination and literary skills. They can re-enact everyday life such as taking the dog to the vet - it might become taking teddy to the doc! Let them play it out and, again, let them be in control.”
* Local park
“Often it’s the only green space children have. It’s a wonderful open space and there are also often other children there ... great for social skills.
“Allowing kids to socialise is really important and it doesn’t matter whether there’s any ‘equipment’ there, because they just need the space to explore, run around or play ball.”
* Visit the library
“Most local libraries have regular children’s morning where they can hear a story and do craft - and it’s usually free. Contact your local council and also ask them about other free activities for children in your area.”
Your Say:
Do you have some great ideas for keeping kids entertained? Please share your ideas with other readers in the comments below.
