Active Learning through Creative Play

STREETSBORO, Ohio, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- November can be a challenging month for parents. Children sense the holiday season is near, and it can be difficult to keep them focused at home and in the classroom. The good news is utilizing creative play to help kids learn is an easy way to get their attention and keep them involved in active learning when visions of winter break dance in their heads.

Look to Nature

With the change in weather, this is a great time to get kids outside and interacting with nature. Picking up leaves on a walk in your local park can be great for active learning. Once you are home, have them identify the trees that produced the leaves, and create a leaf pressing and preservation book. Slightly older children may be interested in the science behind the changing leaf colors. Encourage them to take some time to look into how and why this process occurs.

Living History

Depending on your child's age, they may or may not be familiar with the story of Thanksgiving. While they will be exposed to it in school, try and delve deeper into the origins and history of the holiday, including Native American history. Have older kids research and put together a book on Thanksgiving, using pictures, paragraphs, or illustrations and ask them to present their findings. For your more "dramatically inclined" learner, have them create and act out their interpretation of Thanksgiving. Role playing is a fun way to help children gain an understanding of history.

Active Involvement

No matter the season, there are always plenty of ways to get children involved in the world around them through creative play. By taking the time to organize a few simple activities, they will get to learn while having fun and you will be amazed by the results they produce.

CreativePlayPlus.com is a resource for parents that provides information and ideas about creative play. We engage noted experts to inform, discuss and encourage dialogue and fresh ideas around this topic. CreativePlayPlus.com is supported by Step2, where we believe that parents, grandparents and child care providers can benefit from being better informed about the role of creative play in child development. We do not provide personal advice, but simply aim to create a vibrant portal for information on creative play for children.