How Preschoolers learn best… and how ABC’s ‘Bluey’ has got it right
ABC’s ‘Bluey’ depicts the hilariously typical family life of two blue heeler parents and two daughters, Bluey and Bingo. The imagination runs rife – especially with Dad- and through each episode the kids learn something while also entertaining the parents watching too!
‘YOU be the mama and I’ll be the sister. I’ll look after the puppy and you look after the baby.’ The kids are playing Mums and Dads. Can you hear something similar right now, coming from your children? (Maybe it’s superheroes, cars and trucks, or horse-related!) Kids and their imagination, right?
If you have ever been to a playgroup, kindergarten, daycare, or watched your own pre-schooler carefully when they play, you will know that one of the most important assets to how preschooler’s learn is IMAGINATION-and the play that comes as a result of this imagination.
Preschooler learning focuses on using imaginative play to begin to help children learn about their world and how they themselves are present and part of this world. Just like on Bluey, they use imagination to help them copy their parents in daily tasks-which is why playing ‘mums and dads’ and ‘going shopping’ are a regular hit at preschools and daycare centres!
So why should we as parents help to foster that imagination in our toddlers and pre-schoolers?
Let me let you in on a little secret-learning is not always in one direction. It is not ‘you learn this, then learn that’ all the time. I like to use the phrase ‘multidirectional learning’-and by that I mean that learning can go in any direction from most points.
For instance, when my daughter wanted to know about pelicans, I told her that they are big black and white birds that live near the sea. From there, we could go on to several different points:
-the fact that she had a pelican on her hat and it was froma shop (enter discussion about how the shopkeeper managed to get a hat with apelican on it); or
-we could talk about the pelican’s beak and how it eats;
-we could also have discussed how it soars on it’s wings andtakes awhile to get up into the sky, and so on.
So learning goes in any direction. How can this help me with my pre-schooler?
Three ways (of the many) you can help your pre-schooler learn are:
1: Use props (open-ended toys or things) to inspire their imagination! These can be as simple as toy cars, create a cubby, pretend a carpet can fly! Toys such as blocks are so easy because they can be used for either small or big constructions, with the added benefit of
2: Structure your conversations with them to help them be creative. Actively listen to what your child is playing and ask them if you can share ideas too. Then casually insert a question or comment in here and there as they play-not to direct the play necessarily, but to create new ideas, thoughts, problems to solve. The brain THRIVES on this type of learning!
3: Start teaching your children how to think outside the box. Bluey actually excels at this because “mum and dad are constantly using different techniques, catching their children delightfully off-guard with fun imaginative games, but without completely removing them from their comfort zone, either. So try a few different ideas-get into your play head and let your imagination flow with your child.
Preschoolers learn best through using imagination to direct their play-and if you join in, it builds connection between you. Give it a go with your child!
Grab some free parenting and preschooler learning resources here-my library is expanding constantly!