Game is a strong tool used by children. Children use games to achieve the development in all aspects, including emotion, social contact, cognition and body. When wearing costumes or using stage properties, they will try imagine their roles. They will put different objects together to solve problems in different ways, and use words to describe the things they are doing when playing, so as to enlarge their vocabulary. All in all, game is the most important tool for children’s learning at present and in the fugure.

As important figures in children’s life, adults are playing vital roles in children’s games. When visiting children’s museum, we encourage adults to be children’s partners in games and learning. Here, we propose the following learning suggestions for your reference.

Following children’s lead

Respect what your children choose and how they play. This will cultivate their ability in making choice. When children realize that the important adults in their life can accept their choice in games, they will develop self-esteem and learn to trust their own judgment.

Listen to and communicate with children

Observe: observe what the children are doing, spend some time to take a step back and see how children are playing. This might provide valuable insights for children in the ways they think and develop.

Listen carefully: listen to what the children are talking and understand their thoughts and ways. If we could think about and explain what they say, it might help the children to complete their tasks more smoothly.

Use open-ended questions: use open-ended questions, such as “what do you think happened?” or “how do think it happened?” This kind of questioning mode provides opportunity of answering for a variety of thinking methods. It allows children to form their thoughts when they don’t need to confirm the right answer. 

Extend game and thought: when kids are playing, we can encourage them to play the game in a more complex way by extending the things they are doing. Lev Vygotsky called it “the stent to next steps”. The next steps could be: join the game, imitate children’s behavior, introduce related but newer thoughts, or provide relevant suggestions. You can join children’s games by children’s behavior and then change it slightly by adding thoughts or actions. For instance, if your child is building toy bricks piled up vertically, you can add a new toy brick in new shape to the combination or build a different combination designed by yourself. Ina addition, you can also use language to provide the words to describe and enlarge children’s thoughts and use different words to explain what the children are saying or doing. In this way, they might have the chance to expand their language skill and vocabulary depth.

Just spend some time to play in children’s museum with your children. Whether it’s changing costumes, playing roles, lying on the floor or playing toy bricks, just make the most of your time to share these valuable moments – this is the play to enjoy each other’s company and build common memory. Please try your best to spend time with your children, because their childhood might be over soon.

[Article Forwarded From]

Children’s Museum Research Center, China (CMRC)

[Article Source]

Official Website of Children's Museum of South Dakota