Welcome aboard! Imagine your child as a little pilot ready to take off into the world of learning, with you as the air traffic controller guiding them on their journey as they soar. Just like a busy control tower helps planes navigate the skies, children need tools like play, communication, and curiosity to reach new heights.
“Play is the rocket fuel of child development”
National Literacy Trust UK
Fasten Your Seatbelts: Why Play Is More Than Fun
Play isn’t just fun – it’s how our children practise life skills! Think of it as a simulator where they can explore and solve problems together.
- Imaginative adventures: Whether they’re pretending to be superheroes or hosting a tea party, play lets children step into new roles and flex their creativity. It’s like trying on different “pilot” hats!
- Problem-solving missions: Building an air traffic control tower or runway from blocks (and figuring out how to keep it standing and safe for the planes) is a great way for little ones to practise problem-solving in a fun, hands-on way
- Teamwork training: Sharing toys and taking turns during play is like coordinating with other pilots in the sky – essential for a smooth and safe journey
Turbulence Ahead? How Play Can Help Spot Common Challenges
Every flight has its bumps – help your little pilot navigate common challenges along the way.
- Nervous about “take-off” in the classroom? Some children can feel like a plane stuck on the runway, hesitant to join in. They might need a confidence boost to engage with friends and activities
- Losing focus mid-flight? Distractions are like unexpected storms on your flight path. Children who struggle to concentrate might need help to stay on course and filter out distractions
- Communication delays at the control tower? When children find it hard to express themselves, it can feel like garbled radio communication – they need clearer signals to connect with others
But no worries! Every pilot faces challenges, and with your guidance, they can get back on track and enjoy the journey.
The Control Tower: How Communication Through Play Can Lead To Success
Clear communication is your child’s control tower, guiding every flight smoothly. Without it, things can feel chaotic and unsettling. Helping them develop their communication and language skills will help them:
- Navigate social situations: Knowing how to ask for a turn on the swing or explain their feelings is like smoothly requesting a landing at a busy airport
- Expand their vocabulary: Think of new words as extra runway space – this makes more room for big ideas to take off!
- Build confidence: When children know they are heard and understood, they soar higher and tackle challenges with courage
Meet The Flight Crew: Executive Functioning Skills
Every successful flight needs a solid crew. Your child’s “flight crew” includes three core executive functioning skills:
- Working memory: Helps them remember instructions like, “Fasten your seatbelt” or “The emergency exits are…”. It’s like keeping track of flight coordinates!
- Cognitive flexibility: Just like rerouting a flight path when facing unexpected weather, flexible thinking helps children adapt to change and find solutions when things don’t go as planned
- Inhibitory control: Self-control is key, whether feeling frustrated as they wait their turn to land. It’s about keeping calm and steadying the plane during turbulence
Emerging executive functioning skills, such as working memory and cognitive flexibility, have been shown to contribute to early reading and maths achievement during the pre-kindergarten years and into kindergarten (Harvard University: Centre on the Developing Child).
Fuelling The Flight: How Curiosity And Play Act As Jet Fuel For Learning
Curiosity fuels their learning engine, propelling them to explore, ask questions, and discover more.
- Follow their interests: Use their passions to extend their learning. Tailoring activities to what excites them is like giving their plane an extra boost
- Start where they are: Every child has a unique starting point. Meet them where they’re comfortable and build from there. It’s like adding fuel based on the distance of the flight!
Tips For The Best Flight: Supporting Language Growth
Want to help your little pilot soar?
- Model clear communication: Use descriptive language when talking to them. Instead of “Look over there,” say, “Look at that fluffy white cloud floating in the blue sky!”
- Tune in and listen: Pay close attention to what they’re saying (or trying to say). When they know they are heard, it’s no different to giving them a clear landing signal
- Add new words naturally: If they point to a plane, you might say, “Yes, that’s a big, speedy jet. Speedy means it goes really fast as it zooms through the sky!”
Ready For Take-Off?
Every child can put on their pilot’s hat and soar to new heights when you provide activities that nurture imagination, role-playing, rule-following, and impulse control. By embracing play, fostering communication, and fuelling curiosity, you are plotting a course for a smooth flight through life’s challenges.
Remember: You are the air traffic controller, guiding them through the skies of learning and growth. So, buckle up, keep the lines of communication open, and watch your little pilots embark on amazing adventures!
