Entertaining my kids often feels like a full time job. Although I know that it is normal for parents to feel overwhelmed by the task of keeping their kids busy and learning, the job can still feel stressful. At the same time, I am constantly thinking about the importance of balance in my life. Especially when it comes to free time versus planned scheduling, for myself and my kids.
In my opinion, maintaining balance is key to happy + healthy family dynamics. To point out, Research shows that kids benefit from both scheduled agendas and time to be bored. According to the experts, “Boredom naturally fosters the foundational facet of wonder, and a ready openness to new experiences and potential creative insight (Guihyun et al., 2019).” Interestingly, when my kids are provided the time and space to be bored, they often learn more about themself and the world around them.
All things considered, I love to buy products that foster creativity, independence, and learning. I think that engaging learning games, tools, and toys are a great alternative to screen time, sometimes. Let me be clear, my kids have phones, iPad’s, tv’s, and Xboxes, and they play them almost daily. Being a millennial parent, I embrace technology and I want my kids to use the medium to their advantage. Let’s be real, tech is badass, and it’s the way of the future. However, it is my belief that a well rounded person is someone who is also regularly exposed to alternative activities and contrasting forms of play.
Think about your own childhood experience. When did you have the most fun learning? I bet it was during play! Play based learning involves creating engaging and interactive experiences where children actively explore, experiment, and problem-solve, fostering their cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. Not surprisingly, kids learn quicker when play is utilized. This is because it takes less repetitions to master a skill when it is presented through play.
With the summer months around the corner, I am stocking up on products that provide new perspectives through play.
Truly, having these products at home as a creative outlet and learning option, lessens some of my nagging mom guilt and makes me feel good about family down time.
Read on to view some of my favorite finds! Click the links below to shop!
All of the items on this post are linked to my Amazon Affiliate Account! When the provided link is used to purchase an item, I am credited a small percentage at no cost to you!
Let me know which items you are adding to your cart!
Best,
Mykel
Reference
Guihyun Park, Beng-Chong Lim, and Hui Si Oh. "Why Being Bored Might Not Be a Bad Thing after All." (2019) AMD, 5, 78–92, https://doi.org/10.5465/amd.2017.0033
Comentarios