We help parents, grandparents, and educators nurture happy, curious kids through easy, play-based activities. From block play to pretend play, our playful learning activities encourage your children to develop their social, emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills—one activity at a time. Join our weekly newsletter to explore simple, hands-on activities designed for your toddlers and preschoolers.
Everyday Experiences That Help Kids Grow. 🌱
|
Hi Reader, We hope you had a wonderful Easter (if you celebrate) or a relaxing Sunday with family and friends! As we wrap up our series on nurturing your child's growth through play, today's focus is on the importance of everyday experiences in supporting their development. What Do We Mean By Experiences? In early childhood, real-life experiences such as splashing in puddles, baking, gardening, or building with blocks are the moments that help children learn and grow. They don't need to be fancy or planned; they just need to be shared with love and attention. As Joseph Cornell aptly stated:
"Children understand and remember concepts best when they learn from direct personal experience."
Why Are Experiences Important in Early Childhood? Early childhood experiences play a crucial role in shaping your child's brain, developing cognitive, language, and social-emotional skills. They also give your child the confidence to try new things, solve problems, and connect with others. Experiences don't have to cost anything—they just need to be meaningful. A nature walk, a shared story, or playing make-believe can all support your child's development and well-being. "We see how early childhood experiences are so important to lifelong outcomes, how the early environment literally becomes embedded in the brain and changes its architecture." – Andrew S. Garner. How to Support Your Child Through Everyday Experiences You don't need big plans or special tools. The simple things you do each day—making breakfast, walking through the neighborhood, playing outside—can help your child learn, connect, and grow. Engage in Daily Routines: Invite your child to stir pancake batter or sort laundry by color. Involving them in everyday tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, or watering plants, helps build their confidence and gives them a genuine sense of belonging. Encourage Exploration: Try something new together—a different walking route, a nature trail, or even building a fort in a new corner of the house. A slight change in setting can spark curiosity. Foster Social Interactions: Arrange playdates, park meetups, or family gatherings to help your child develop communication and interpersonal skills. Whether saying hello to a neighbor or using FaceTime with family, every interaction helps build their social skills. Support Big Feelings: Create space for your child to share their thoughts, feelings, and ask questions. Build trust and confidence by listening without trying to fix the problem. Make Space for Curiosity: If your child shows an interest in something, such as bugs, rocks, or trucks, take time to explore it together. Simple questions often lead to meaningful learning. Play With, Not Just Near: Get down on the floor, put on the costume, and use silly voices. When you join their pretend world, it tells them their ideas matter. Say Yes to Mess: Mud, paint, water, flour—messy play is rich with learning and fun. Keep a towel nearby and make the most of the moment. Create Simple Traditions: Taco Tuesday, Library Fridays, or post-rain puddle walks give kids something to look forward to and remember. "When we give children advice or instant solutions, we deprive them of the experience that comes from wrestling with their own problems." - Adele Faber." Hands-On Play Activities Here are five simple experiences that invite hands-on learning: 🌱 Muddy Animal Wash: Fill one bin with mud and another with soapy water. Add plastic animals, cars, or other small toys, and let the kids wash them. 📦 Cardboard Box Fun: Give kids a large cardboard box to decorate and turn into a house, car, or spaceship. 🎨 Nature Paintbrushes: Collect leaves, pine needles, or grass and attach them to sticks with rubber bands to make natural brushes. 🧺 Picnic Pretend Play: Host a pretend or real picnic with stuffed animals, play food, or real snacks. 🎶 Musical Pots and Pans: Pull out a few pots, pans, and wooden spoons, and let your child explore the sounds they can make. Tap out a beat together or play along with a favorite song.
Recommended Books That Inspire Experiences and PlayReading can lead to new experiences. Stories about adventures, friendships, or challenges foster imagination and understanding Here are 4 excellent books to read: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin A Year of Everyday Wonders by Cheryl B. Klein Want to Learn More? Childhood is a Short Season, so Let's Make Some Lasting Memories! We could all learn something from the children in our lives. Take a look at all the amazing things we often forget when we become adults. Children are free to:
How will you and your family create more meaningful memories and experiences? We would love for you to share your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram! Use #DiscoveryBuildingSets Let's make room for more experiences, more memories, and more connections! All the best, Kimberli and Joseph New here? You can catch up on the rest of the series here:
|
Discovery Building Sets
We help parents, grandparents, and educators nurture happy, curious kids through easy, play-based activities. From block play to pretend play, our playful learning activities encourage your children to develop their social, emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills—one activity at a time. Join our weekly newsletter to explore simple, hands-on activities designed for your toddlers and preschoolers.