Many parents are tempted to make their young children spend their time learning everything they can, instead of spending many hours a week playing. However, this is a serious mistake: not only is playing not a “waste of time,” but in childhood it is the experience that the youngest use to learn naturally and spontaneously. And this also applies to knowledge that goes beyond the academic world: emotion management, socialization, adoption of values, etc.
Thus, Play is a valuable tool that both child psychologists and educational psychologists use when it comes to helping the little ones. Let’s see why this is.
A child is not the equivalent of an adult with less reasoning capacity and large gaps in knowledge about how the world works. The youngest ones are, of course, more ignorant than the older ones, but that does not mean that their minds are devoid of content. On the contrary; Precisely because in childhood we are constantly exposing ourselves to new situations that raise doubts and challenges to face, very often the child’s psychological activity is mobilizing knowledge previously consolidated in his memory.
This is imperfect and provisional knowledge, full of half-truths or even completely erroneous beliefs, but which serves as a reference to increasingly distinguish between what is true and what is false. In this sense, psychological activity in childhood does not differ much from that of adults, taking into account that no one ever has perfect and absolute knowledge of the truth. However, there are clear differences in other aspects, and the role of play in the psychological development of children is one of them.
And it is that The game has several characteristics that make it a very good learning vehicle both ideas and the management of emotions. Let’s see why this is.
1. There is no division between form and content in the learning material
During childhood, human beings have a lower capacity for abstract thinking, and therefore, any form of didactic experience must take into account that children find it difficult to simply abstract themselves from learning materials and focus their minds alone. in the new knowledge that these provide them. This explains, among other things, why they usually need the support of illustrations even when they have already mastered the fundamentals of reading texts.
In the game, the playful activity itself is part of what is learned, and provides constant references about which elements from which to extract new information. That is to say, there is no radical division between the material resources they use to learn, and the learning itself and theory and practice go hand in hand.
2. The game generates narrative lines
The knowledge and skills that the little ones obtain through play are not based on abstract concepts isolated from any type of experience that is familiar to them; on the contrary, They are one more element within a story in which they are participating
This makes this type of learning very significant for them, and by being able to place it in a narrative structure of the introduction, middle and end type, they have a clear notion of their progress, what it means to move forward, stagnate, etc.
Besides, When new knowledge occurs in the context of a story, it is much easier to memorize and they are more memorable (they will be evoked more easily automatically).
3. Playing creates a context in which they are the protagonists
When playing, children find themselves in a position where They must constantly position themselves in the face of the challenges posed to them ; It is very difficult for them to adopt a completely passive role, because the situation means that even the fact of crossing their arms can be interpreted in a narrative key.
4. Motivates you to face new challenges
Lastly, and not least, is the fact that the game can be very motivating ; If it is well planned, it may even be the little ones who ask to repeat it one more time.
How is play used in child therapy?
In the same way that boys and girls have a natural predisposition to play spontaneously, Child psychologists also use play-based therapeutic resources to harness the potential of these experiences That is, game contexts are proposed to, through them, promote the development and training of certain skills and abilities in the little ones.
This is a very good way not only to intervene in the psychological processes of boys and girls based on situations that are understandable to them, but also, as we have seen, it helps them become another agent in the educational process, being the first interested in progressing. In addition, the game is a medium in which they can express their ideas and feelings spontaneously.
In this way, you can work on problems that can be addressed both from child therapy and from psychopedagogy, generating situations that will allow them to train skills in recognizing and managing emotions, social skills, fine motor skills, planning, establishing strategies, etc. . All this, without pressure and feeling an active part of their own progress
Are you looking for professional support for your son or daughter?
If you are looking for child and adolescent psychotherapy, psychopedagogy or speech therapy services, contact us. In Inpsiko Center We have been helping people of all ages for years, both individually and offering support to families of children and adolescents. You can find us in Bilbao and Barakaldo.
