ABOUT
Small world play is creating a life scene allowing little ones to let their imaginations run wild. Miniature items such as plastic animals and sensory elements like rice or lentils create the invitation to play. I have carefully selected themes and filled Playboxes to the brim to ensure endless hours of exploration.
No two small worlds will ever be the same. Every time a child engages with their Playbox it will be a different experience, one which will become more complex as they grow and develop!
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Playboxes inspire problem-solving: “Not all the logs can fit on the tractor!” Children learn how to work out these problems through reasoning and experimenting.
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Playbox Benefits:
1. Helps develop awareness of their senses through hands-on learning.
2. Supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
3. Builds nerve connections in the brain that enable your child to complete more complex learning tasks.
4. Allows kids to learn different sensory attributes, such as hot, cold, sticky, dry, wet, etc.
5.Enhances memory and can help calms kids who are anxious or frustrated.
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Lets discuss each benefit in detail:
Whilst playing with their small world, children are imagining and talking out loud, using vocabulary. Learning the names, colors and characteristics of their little animals....in other words...language building.
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Playboxes provide an excellent opportunity for kids to expand their ever-growing language skills. From exploring new vocabulary to organizing ideas, and developing sequencing skills, Playboxes can support children in becoming effective storytellers as they narrate their miniature adventures.
I love this quote by Benjamin Franklin. During imaginative play, children manipulate materials, express themselves verbally and non-verbally, plan (intentionally or unintentionally), act, interact, react, and try different roles. Great opportunities for learning are possible when children participate in creative play.
Imagination fosters cognitive and social development. Everyone wants their child to reach their highest intellectual and social/emotional potential. In early childhood education, critical thinking skills and creative problem-solving abilities are goals for children's development. Imagining, trying new ways of doing things, and experimenting help develop critical thinking and foster creative problem solving.
​Small world play helps to develop numeracy skills by giving lots of opportunities for grouping or sorting items and counting them “How many legs does the spider have?” “How many different types of dinosaur do you have?” Children learn at their own pace, in a fun way, all while building strong bonds with the parent/caregiver.