When Grown-Ups Play: tips and tutorials for home
A note from Allusio Academy
If you’ve been following along our journey, you know the importance of play-based learning in early childhood. Play is a powerful tool for young children to learn skills and qualities, such as:
problem-solving
conflict resolution
communication
storytelling and narration
character development
creative expression
and perseverance.
As early educators, we are always looking to improve our practice and share our favorite strategies with you. That’s why we are happy to connect with education leaders and parents with shared values.
Lauren DeMarco is one such leader. She is a mother, an artist, and the founder of Makers Community Studio. Her work is grounded in open-ended play and process art. Lauren knows how difficult it can be to balance work and education. Her resources help families bring creative play into their homes in easy, accessible ways.
Before we share Lauren’s special guest post below, we’ve written out some definitions that will help you become an expert play educator.
Play-based learning: an educational process where children learn through play that is child-initiated and teacher-supported. Teachers integrate theories of child development and academic learning to elevate a child’s play and learning.
Collaborative play: also known as cooperative play, this is when children play with other peers or adults in ways that involve turn-taking, sharing, or working together. Examples of collaborative play are: building a block city together, pretending to play “restaurant”, or working together to create an obstacle course.
Play preferences: patterns and actions that a child often engages with during their play, according to Lauren’s interest and play preference strategy. If you notice your child frequently initiating a certain type of play, it can be described as one of their play preferences. Examples of a play preference are:
lining, sorting, or stacking different items
experimenting with different sounds or textures
sifting their hands and fingers through sensory materials (ex. sand, water, or beads).
Play interests: themes or topics that are frequent in a child’s play. Lauren gives examples of play interests like characters from a specific TV show or superheroes.
Now that you’re familiar with different ideas of play-based learning, we invite you to read Lauren’s special guest post. Make sure to check out her fun activity tutorial below and try it out at home!
When Grown-Ups Play: Tips and Tutorials for Young Families
Have you ever tried to play a game or get excited about a play experience with your child but felt disconnected or disinterested the whole time? In every social scenario, throughout our lives, communication is imperative in order for everyone to feel connected. Collaborative play with your child is no different!
During play, every individual person has his or her own interests and play personalities. Your child may love to tell stories and build, whereas you may be a maker and kinesthetic (touch) player.
It’s natural for two people to have different interests and ideas. What matters most is how those two players communicate with one another to avoid conflict and engage in meaningful ways.
In order for a play session to be successful and satisfying for both you and your child, it is important for you to model how to express your own needs. Specifically, model how to advocate for yourself during play. This will help your child understand how to communicate their own play interests and preferences in healthy ways.
Here are two helpful tips to keep in mind when modeling play for your child:
1. Make sure to vocalize your needs clearly. Toddlers often react in physical ways before learning how to use their words. Older children might quickly get upset when the person they are playing with has a different idea. When you calmly ask, “Can we play with the Magna Tiles instead of the Barbies?”, you are modeling how to voice your needs in healthy ways. Your child may agree or ask you to meet him or her somewhere in the middle. This interaction will help them learn to compromise and problem-solve with others.
2. Be engaged, excited, and honest. Children can recognize inauthenticity. They will know if you’re distracted or not interested in your collaborative play. If you would rather play with the sand table with your hands than with a scoop, share that with your child. By making your needs known and working them into your compromise, you will be more willing and able to honestly connect with your child during your session. They will feel satisfied and seen!
I hope this simple challenge of modeling your play preferences will help you elevate your child’s play experience.
Paper Tile Tutorial
As a special treat to the Allusio Academy community, I am excited to share a simple project for you to bring into your play at home.
From my personal experience as a mother and play-advocate, I know that adults and children typically enjoy open-ended toys. These are materials which can be used in multiple different ways (ex. Magna Tiles), rather than toys that have one specific purpose and feel limiting (ex. a play telephone). This simple activity will result in a fully customized, open-ended toy to enjoy again and again.
Step 1: Decorate and cut out the shapes from the printed template.
This phase allows for: self-expression and creative freedom; fine motor skill practice in mark-making and cutting; and practice in naming colors and shapes. I encourage you to let your child be the leader, let go of perfection, and have fun!
Step 2: Laminate the tiles.
Place each decorated shape onto the sticky side of a strip of packing tape. Place another strip of packing tape onto the backs to “laminate” the shapes. Trim the edges. There you have it, a collection of smooth, protected, shapes.
These paper tiles can be used to form 2D creations on a surface, like these made with Magna Tiles. Make as many sets as you would like to have in your collection. You can also use the shapes for counting exercises, imaginative play, or placed in a sensory rice bin. The sky's the limit!
Lauren DeMarco is the mom and maker behind Makers Community Studio, an open-ended play and process art resource for families. She helps families simplify creative play to support healing, growth, and connection at home.
Follow @MakersCommunityStudio on Instagram and download Lauren’s Free PDF: Guiding Principles of Creative Play, to learn more!
