Health and Safety
Children’s health and safety is always worried about and is important within play at home. You should consider the space where play takes place, making sure you and your child has enough room to move around with hazards such as tripping on toys, wires or bumping into furniture. Doing a quick check of what is around is also key, check for hot mugs of tea that children could reach or if outside, check the ground for glass or animal faeces, this will help you and your child to have a positive experience. However, do not completely worry, a little tumble will not hurt your child and is a natural part of play.
Being a Play Partner
This is important to support your child’s learning and development and is simple to do. Join in with their play! Let them lead and explore their ideas, see how their mind comes up with a story and how resources can be used. Sit with them, react to their ideas and ask questions but do not lead, for example, telling them what to do.
Ask Questions |
Answering Questions |
Children’s learning can be developed by asking them questions and getting them to think about what they are doing and why. Could you do this a different way? What do you think would happen if...? You should give them the opportunity to test theories and ideas, thinking about the process involved and problem solving as they explore. Ask questions that offer a varied, open answer allowing the child to express what they think and feel as well as associate what they know to a memory they have. No matter how small the question is, they all provide children the opportunity to bond, talk and develop.
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Children can only pick up as much knowledge as they are exposed to. By answering their questions, you can help them to develop their ideas and understanding of the world. No one knows everything, so do not be afraid to need to research something or even explore the question and answer with your child! They are then able to see your process and understand that they may get things wrong or not know an answer, but it is not the end of the world.
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Enjoy Yourself and Learn With Them!
Children are aware of how you feel, they want you to join in with their play and explore with them. If there is something you cannot answer, learn with your child and help them to understand that somethings you may not know. Allow yourself to be silly and enjoy the moment and memory you are creating. Staying inside does not need to be boring and sometimes that means letting your inner child out!
Observe
This is a great way to learn even more about your child and how they learn, meaning you can continue to support them even more. Look out for how they move around and interact with the resources, listen to what they respond to and what they talk about and how they are feeling. This can allow you to see what activities and resources they enjoy, helping you give them even more opportunities like that and continue to have positive experiences together!
Positivity and Praise
No moment will last forever, no matter how much we wish it did. This, however, means we should cherish every moment, give praise wherever and whenever you can and view every child’s action like it’s the first and the best they have done. Not only will this make them feel good in themselves, but it will encourage them to spark the same happiness as you how and will enjoy what they are doing.
Don't Worry About The Mess!
Creative and imaginative play is messy! And this is the important part of it, allow children to explore with a range of materials, make gloop, mix paint and splash water. It’s all part of the fun! And is temporary, meaning it can be easily cleaned – children can be involved in this too as part of their learning and development. In messy play, sheets and plastic can be put down to keep it in one place or taken outside to the garden, allowing children to get in the sun. Keep baby wipes/cloths nearby if using paint and worried about this spreading, this can get the majority off and hands can be washed after.