The Two Hardest Things #137.5
Listen to this week’s show
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
| subscribe through iTunes | on-the-go device
Outdoor play is more than sandpits #137
We’re playing outside today. We’re looking at new ideas and getting some inspiration for our natural play space for our children, whatever the weather.
Not all tots are happy to be outside. They are easily bored or don’t know what to do. Maybe you have children like mine who stand at the glass and beg to come in…. I know how hard that is.
During the show I talk about how we overcame their resistence to being outside.
Sometimes we just look in our playspace and just don’t have any more to give…..we’re busy, tired or lack inspiration. There’ s nothing like a bit of inspiration to get us thinking about our families and what we can do that’ll fit our age and stage outside in our playspace.
Once you’ve listened to the show come back and share in the comments below
What outdoor play activities and ideas are you doing this year? Do you have an outdoor play area? What do you do for shade and play or rain and play Do you have any tips for reluctant outdoor tots or new takes on activities.. In the comments, share your experiences.
Read more..
What’s the point of play? #136
“They just played this afternoon.”
There’s something about the just in that sentence that we all worry about in our children’s play. What if what they are doing isn’t enough? Unstrucutred play- how will I know that they are playing and learning and doing and and. If they have a book, a toy a something at least we know they are getting things done. That’s playing right?
Children need to play. We hear it all the time but what is play? There’s no easy way to explain it. Don’t worry this isn’t a philosophical episode or long definition about play instead we’re exploring what play is so that we can do more of it in our homes. Knowing what play is helps us choose preschools, clubs, and classes. There’s lots of pressure to get it right….do more….. start early. Always at the back of our mind we wonder are we doing the right thing. What if this play thing is wrong and my child is behind?
Dr Roberta Golinkoff, professor at the University of Deleware.She holds the H. Rodney sharp Chair in the School of Education at the University of Delaware & has joint appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Linguistics is the guest for this episode. We’re covering a wide area of play for us to make up our minds about the play we have going on in our homes.
In the links below you’ll find some discussion questions to take away and talk with your spouse, partner, friends and family. It’s not until you talk about play that you find allies in your area and fellowship in numbers. In the comments, share your experiences of events( classes or clubs) you’ve been to that you went to for play? After hearing about the 5 elements of play how do they measure up?
