Ok, Mums and Dads, Let’s get to the nitty gritty of independent play. There is a lot of pressure to be able to constantly entertain our children without the use of a screen. There is a famous quote from Maria Montessori that “Play is the work of the child.” But what does this mean? Children learn and grow through play. She said that “the satisfaction which they find in their work has given them a grace and ease like that which comes from music.” Independent play is important for children’s development, it can boost their confidence, creativity and much more. So how do you start giving your child time to explore and learn more about themselves?
7 ways to encourage independent play
Support your child rather than lead
Make independent play part of their daily routine
Avoid too many rules
Be mindful that a child’s attention span is short
Make sure their toys are age appropriate
Let your child be fully engaged and avoid too much commenting and expectations
Start with time together and then move onto independent play
Children as young as 2 months can show signs of beginning to engage with some independent play, simply by observing different texture and colours.
What are the benefits of independent?
Enhances problem-solving skills
Boosts creativity
Forms a child’s interests
Reduces over-stimulation
Enhances brain development
Enhances a child’s confidence as they explore and master different things
Helps a child to feel relaxed and in turn calms their nervous system
So take this time as an opportunity to sit back and relax a little.
What are some of your favourite independent play activities? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below.
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.
Children are very aware of what’s going on around them. They’re so much like sponges, absorbing and taking in everything. With the stress and talk of the cost of living crisis, it’s important to ensure that we’re meeting our children’s wellbeing needs. So we wanted to share some daily mindful activities we do with our own daughter.
4 daily mindful activities
1) Affirmations poster Positive affirmations helps children to gain confidence, contributes to a growth mindset, and helps children to truly believe in themselves. Children need to hear what makes them special and strong over and over again. You can purchase our alphabet affirmations poster as part of our bundle of 6 posters here.
2) Yoga Yoga improves children’s emotional regulation, it also helps to boost their self-estem, concentration, memory, strength and flexibility. There are classes for kids as well as good yoga for kids videos on Youtube.
3) Watering plants Looking after plants can help to reduce stress in children, it promotes a relaxed and natural state.
4) Magnifying nature walk We often use our STEM activity cards magnifying nature walk card. Playing outdoors allows children to develop self-confidence, independence and self-esteem and promotes positive well being. Our STEM activity cards can be purchased here.
What are some your favourite mindful activities? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below.
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.
Monday was World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’. World Mental Health Day works to ensure mental health is treated the same as physical health. Mental health problems is growing amongst our children. We feel it is important to do as much as possible to prevent mental ill-health amongst young people from an early age, so our children grow into thriving adults.
World Mental Health Day is also a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.
Our emotions poster is a great way to encourage children to have a conversation about how they feel and talk about their different emotions.
At the end of everyday we ask our daughter how she was feeling today and she points to the relevant emotion on the poster.
This poster can be bought as part of our bundle of 6 posters here.
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.
What an amazing day we had on Saturday at Afrori Bookshop’s Black History Month event in Brighton. We had so much fun being filmed by ITV News as we did the workshop. The workshop was focused on our STEM Leaders: Black inventors and innovators who changed the world book. But more importantly, seeing the impact and inspiration the book gave to the young children and how much fun they had with the science experiment and engineering activity we did. It was really a pinch me moment, and we’re so thankful to be able to share our journey and why we started with ITV News.
We’re forever grateful for the blessings our business has, for not only us but the young children who get to read our books. We’re very thankful to everyone who supports us by buying our products.
You can buy our STEM Leaders: Black inventors and innovators who changed the world book here.
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.
To celebrate the start of Black History Month, Afrori Books bookstore in Brighton is kicking off with a history extravaganza. Denhue will be doing a fun and interactive reading from a part of our STEM Leaders: Black inventors and innovators who changed the world book, followed by two creative activities related to two inventors from the book. You will also be able to buy a signed copy of the book.
There will be crafts, games, authors sharing their fun history stories and prizes.
There will be tea and coffee for the adults and snacks for the children will be served free throughout the event.
Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.
