Is There More To Play Time Than Just Having Fun?

February 18, 2010 By Sarah 704 Comments

When I think about all of the different games and toys Danika and I play with throughout the day I think of how much fun we are having. I don’t always think about how much she is learning while we are playing. There are so many things that she picks up on during the course of a day. We could be building a tower with blocks and she is learning hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. She amazes me at how high she can build her towers. When she is cooking for me in her pretend kitchen she is learning role play and many other skills.

Playskool has taken an educational initiative called More Than Play. They want to share how play lays down important foundational skills needed for advanced learning like reading, writing, mathematics, critical problem solving, and conceptual thinking.

Here is a little more about their More Than Play campaign (taken from their site):

Play is the natural way children learn. It is a springboard for building THOUGHTFUL MINDS, HEALTHY BODIES, and CONFIDENT SPIRITS. More than 80 years ago Playskool was founded on that simple idea, and today, experts in the field of child development agree.

Play gets little ones up and active. Play stimulates the senses, engages the imagination, encourages children’s curiosity, and empowers their sense of self confidence by allowing them to discover the world around them at their own pace. Play helps kids learn how to relate to others and grow by DISCOVERING LIFE’S POSSIBILITIES, turning imagination into reality each and every day!

And play does something else too…

Play lays down CRITICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR FUTURE LEARNING… foundations that will last a lifetime. In fact science has shown the power behind the fun….today’s wiggles and giggles are setting the path for future reading, writing, math, music, art, thinking, reasoning, and creative problem solving. That’s why we say…

IT’S MORE THAN PLAY.

So how do you think play effects your children? What things have you noticed your kids learning while playing?

You can visit Playskool’s You Tube channel where they have some great videos on the benefits of play: http://www.youtube.com/user/PlayskoolMoreThnPlay You can learn about why kids stick out their tongues, why they pretend, why they won’t sit still and more.

Here is Playskool’s Monty Rex. Soft and snuggly, this prehistoric pet responds to your touch with lifelike movements and sound! Unleash him from his box and he’s ready to walk! Touch his back and he’ll stomp, roar and purr his way into your heart! Moving his arms and head — just like a real dino! – this mischievous MONTY REX dinosaur pet sniffs and sneezes too! Wanna “rock” out like they did in the Stone Age? This cuddly creature plays three rockin’ dino tunes! And when it’s time to “feed” him, he even chomps! Your prehistoric playmate even comes with a discovery sheet to help you learn a few interesting facts about your new friend!

In honor of their More Than Play campaign Playskool is giving away one Dinoroars Monty Rex RV $69.99!!

This giveaway has ended. Congrats to the winner:

Comment #416

Megan