I’ve been on a parenting-book reading kick for awhile now, specifically learning about what makes kids happiest & most productive in the long run and child development vs. societal pressures. Riveting material, right?
It may not be the kind of reading that I’ll stay up ’til 2am for, but it has been eye-opening in a different way. Almost everything I’m learning points back to play. Not structured activities or step-by-step crafts. Not early academic learning or flash cards galore, but easy, simple, free play. Whether I’m reading a parenting book about the importance of nature, simplifying routines, or cutting out screens, there seems to always be an underlying message of letting kids play.
It seemed counter-intuitive, so I started doing separate reading outside of the books. I was a researcher in a past, career-focused time of my life, so hunting down peer-reviewed studies is my jam. I won’t bore you with the entire studies (though I will include the links in case you’re a researching nerd like me!), but what consistently stood out is learning is better fueled by kids intrinsic motivation through play rather than extrinsic motivations, like test scores or reward charts. When stated like that, it’s obvious. Do we, as adults, learn something new like baking bread or starting a garden or riding a skateboard for an arbitrary “grade” on it? Of course not, we do it for the heck of it (this may not apply to those who do things specifically to post them, if that’s you, consider reading my article on lessening screen time).
But how do we apply that to our children’s daily lives? How do we introduce more play? Simply put, step back. Give them time and space to figure it out. They’ll be bored at first, there will be a whiney adjustment period, but eventually they’ll be playing-pros – it’s what they’re made for. If you want more structure than that, consider a few board or card games. We do most of our homeschooling through real-life and game-schooling, and I’m hosting a new program with the local library starting this week – come join us!
Disclaimer/Reality Check: We also have done leap-frog videos, abc books, and worksheets in the past. I’m allowed to grow as a mother & a person too, y’all. I still believe reading to your kids is the best thing you can possibly do. This column will be about motherhood, parenting, and homemaking for the most part. Maybe it’ll be about finding what make feeds your soul or how to fit more of it into your schedule. Maybe I’ll convince you to throw out the schedule all together to enjoy a week of just living. Most importantly, I don’t ever want this column to make another mama think she’s not doing enough. If you’re reading this, I want you to know that you are, you’re doing great, keep it up. Sing it with me: no-one is doing it allllll!
Picture 1: Flyer for up-coming library event
Picture 2: Our collection of educational games
here ya go, fellow nerds:
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/3/e20182058/38649/The-Power-of-Play-A-Pediatric-Role-in-Enhancing?autologincheck=redirected
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/23/05/embracing-learning-through-play
https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/what-is-play-based-learning
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/summer2022/power-playful-learning
https://learningthroughplay.com/explore-the-research/the-scientific-case-for-learning-through-play
if you’re a book person, I’m enjoying:
-last child in the woods by Richard Louv
-simplicity parenting by Kim John Payne
-the happiest kids in the world by Michele Hutchison and Rina Mae Acosta
-free to learn by Peter Gray
-the opt-out family by Erin Loechner
-hunt, gather, parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
