Everyday Objects for Play
Stimulate and Unleash Creativity and Imagination: Using Everyday Objects for Everyday Play
So, you have a baby. Now what? How do you play with him when his attention span is so short? What should you do to help his brain develop?
What toys should you buy? What if you're wrong? We get it. It can be demotivating and there seems to be so much information coming from all directions. The good news is, you're not alone. And we can help you move forward.
The Power of Everyday Objects for Child Development
Children learn through play, and it all starts at home. Everyday objects, often overlooked for their potential as toys, offer a wealth of opportunities for open-ended play. Imagine the curiosity and wonder a child might feel as they explore the textures of a plastic container, the stacking possibilities of cereal boxes, or the rhythmic sounds made by banging pots and pans with wooden spoons.
Open-ended play is characterized by the absence of predetermined outcomes, allowing children to explore using their imagination and creativity through everyday objects. In fact, a 2021 study found that children were more likely to engage in open-ended play with everyday objects found in their home environment than new and unfamiliar toys. This means they enjoy opening and closing cabinet doors, emptying drawers, or pushing chairs around the room. And that’s a good thing!
Open-ended play offers a multitude of benefits for the cognitive, social and emotional development of babies and toddlers. Here are some key benefits:
Cognitive Development : Open-ended play encourages problem solving, creativity and decision making as children experiment with different ways of interacting with objects.
Fine Motor Skills : Manipulating objects like buttons, lids, and tongs helps develop coordination and fine motor skills, laying the foundation for writing and other skills.
Sensory Exploration : Children's senses are stimulated as they explore the textures, shapes and sounds of everyday objects, enriching their understanding of the world around them.
Social and Emotional Development : Open-ended play promotes collaboration, sharing and communication skills as children interact with parents and peers.
As soon as a child is mobile, we often hear adults say that they "touch everything," as if it's wrong. The next time your child makes noise while exploring a kitchen cupboard, recognize that it's an important part of their development. Free play for children means they're exploring the world around them, working on skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, and having fun doing it.
Eco-Responsible, Minimalist and Economical: Using Everyday Objects for Open Play
Having everyday objects as toys for children is not only beneficial for a child's development, but also promotes eco-friendly practices, reducing the need for excessive toys. It takes a minimalist approach, encouraging parents to appreciate the simple joys of everyday objects. Plus, it's a cost-effective way to enrich your child's play experience.
Tupperware : Tupperware containers and lids offer endless possibilities. Kids can stack them, fill them with different materials, or use them as vehicles or houses in imaginative play scenarios.
Paper Towel Rolls : These versatile rolls can be transformed into imaginary telescopes, drums, binoculars or kazoos.
Pillows and Cushions : Create forts, obstacle courses, or cozy reading nooks, sparking imaginative play scenarios with older children.
Wooden Pans and Spoons : Make percussive music with spoons as drumsticks and pans as instruments, engaging children's sense of rhythm and coordination.
Natural Objects : Gather organic materials, like leaves, pasta, vegetables, sticks, pebbles, and flowers to provide sensory exploration and inspire imaginative play. Your child can use these objects to practice counting, sorting, decorating, stamping, and more.
A Warm and Welcoming Environment
We are a small, human-sized nursery, and our goal is to offer parents a warm, home-like environment. We strive to provide open-ended play activities, using everyday objects to stimulate each child's creativity and development. At Les Mousquetaires nursery in Leudelange, children have the freedom to explore, imagine and create, while feeling safe and loved. By adopting eco-responsible and minimalist practices, we not only offer an enriching experience for children, but we also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Without neglecting modern games and facilities, we firmly believe that small moments of play and exploration with simple objects can have a big impact on a child's overall development.
These simple, eco-responsible, and economical practices not only enrich your child's development, but also support a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle.