The Best Way To Support Early Learning: Guided Play
A “NO FAIL” GUIDE TO PLAY FOR PARENTS
Have you ever wondered, “What’s the best way for kids to learn?”
Have you noticed how “free play” or “independent play” are trending topics on social these days?
With all the voices and opinions out there, do you feel like it’s hard to know what truly is the best way for our kids to learn?
We see you.
If you’ve been around here long enough, then you know we’re committed to providing you with the facts, and not just the ones that highlight what we do. We want to help you be informed so you can make the best decision for your children when it comes to play-based learning in your home.
We’ve read the research. (And there’s a TON!)
It’s a fact: The most efficient way to help your child attain a specific skill is through guided play.
In this post, we’re going to equip you with the need-to-know basics. Consider this part 1, if you will. Today, you get to gain clarity, feel more confident, and less overwhelmed.
We’ll cover:
What is guided play?
Examples of what guided play looks like and doesn’t look like.
Our role as parents in guided play.
Action steps so you can practice today!
A kind reminder: Free play absolutely has its place and children can learn from it too.
If you’re curious to learn more, the conversation is only going to get better! Be sure to check back in next Monday! We’ll be sharing and describing the 3 types of play and talking about why guided play is best.
what is guided play?
Guided Play is child-led, meaning the child has the freedom to choose what activity they would like to play. This coincides with an adult guiding or offering support as they learn to achieve learning goals within the context of play.
Some people use the terms guided play and play-based learning interchangeably, even when it’s not truly guided play. That’s why it is important to know what guided play looks like so you can discern it from other types of playful learning.
Don’t miss it! Remember, next week we’ll cover what researchers call playful learning and the play spectrum: free play, guided play, games, & direct instruction
what does guided play look like?
THREE EXAMPLES OF GUIDED PLAY
A child chooses to play with a Potato Head toy. The child is putting on body part pieces and saying the body part names aloud. The parent joins in and intentionally adds relevant information such as the function of what each body part does. “Yes, it’s a nose! We smell with our nose.” The parent might also state something like, “I wonder what we need to see…” The parent is playing with a learning goal in mind. In this example, it is the function of body parts.
A young toddler is given a container with Potato Head pieces inside. The goal is to teach functional, early vocabulary words. The parent may model words like “open, take out, on/off” while the child is doing these actions. This parent is adding meaning by pairing the word that the child is not yet saying as the child is doing the movement.
A parent sets up a sensory bin with Potato Head parts hidden inside. As they play, they describe each part. Within the context of play, the skill of describing/using adjectives is being addressed. The parent is guiding the learning on the side, while the child has control over when they find a piece, how to find a piece (using hands or various tools), and what to do with it after finding it.
In Summary
Guided play can look like the child choosing the activity or the parent intentionally pre-preparing the activity or environment. In either case, the parent is there to guide the learning “on the side” while the child maintains autonomy throughout the play interactions.
If your child is currently in speech therapy, you most likely have witnessed guided play in action by your therapist’s interactions with your child. There’s always a learning goal in mind during play in a speech therapy session!
In the examples above, note that the same toy was used but the learning goal was different! The parent is guiding the learning, not the toy.
Ready to give guided play a try? We made this just for you. (& it’s totally free.) Take these play prompts and use them with your child (this is your guide). As you play, incorporate early vocabulary with our basic concepts list (this is how you elevate the play experience!)
What does guided play not look like?
These examples are not guided play
The child is playing with toy vehicles and is making a ramp with books. The parent does not step-in or add to what the child is doing. The child chose this activity.
The parent sets up a board game to play with the child. They interact and follow the rules of the game while having fun. The game is leading the goal based on the structured rules.
The parent shows the child flashcards with colors on them. The parent then lays the flashcards out and asks the child to point to the named color and repeat it. The parent shows the child a video about colors. Learning colors is the goal.
In Summary
These are examples of other ways a parent may choose to support their child’s development. We want you to know that these are not wrong and depending on your child and the goal, you may choose an approach similar to one of the examples above.
Remember, the most efficient way to obtain specific skills is through guided play!
a parent’s role in guided play
YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST TEACHER
Your role is so important in your child’s development, especially during the early years.
You interact with your child countless times a day, more than anyone else.
You are the expert on your child.
What a privilege it is to engage in playful learning with them!
When it comes to guided play, your role is to come alongside your child and guide their learning while they’re engaging in their interests. You likely have a good idea of what basic concepts or power words they already know and which ones they might need a little more practice with. Keep those in mind and make it a goal to include them during the next activity.
This is how we go from random to strategic during playtime! We have a learning goal in mind + we know our intentions or the “why” behind what we’re doing.
practice guided play
Action Steps to practice
Let your child choose an activity. Take the pressure off of yourself- no prep!
Comment naturally while they’re playing.
Comment on what’s meaningful to your child.
Use words or ideas that might be relevant to the activity and/or their environment.
Consider where you can elevate their learning. Level up their language with a new concept, word, or skill. This will require thinking “on your feet” since you did not prepare the activity. With a little practice, we know you can do it!
Do you have a specific Goal in mind?
Set yourself up for success. Choose an activity that you know your child will be interested in and that will give you many opportunities to address that specific goal even when your child is leading the interactions.
For example, if your goal is to work on qualitative concepts, your focus will be on descriptions. This could like using language and vocabulary that talks about the size, color, texture, or weight of an object.
Need us to walk you through?
We developed the Play By Play, an at-home play guide for the early years. There’s over 50+ play prompts for you to use that set you on the right path for guided play and increase your child’s language skills.
We have an entire section full of interactive worksheets devoted to helping you discover your learning goals and track your progress.
We consider it a total privilege to show you just how doable guided play is with our practical and easy-to-follow format. We want to encourage you to Invest in the Play By Play and know that you’ll be equipped to best support your child’s language development.
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Source:
Wright, C.A., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Thomsen, B.S. (2022). Playful Learning and Joyful Parenting [White paper]. The Lego Foundation. www.learningthroughplay.com