Play-based is my favorite, but let’s talk about how you can elevate your play to support development even further!
Play kitchens are extremely popular in preschool classrooms and within the homes of littles, and for good reason! Play kitchens offer children the chance to imitate situations they are already familiar with. They have seen the adults in their life cook a meal, they have been to a restaurant and know how ordering a meal goes. The most basic of play kitchens can foster imagination, social skills, and language/communication skills.
But how can we move beyond basic and be intentional?
Last night I went to my local Goodwill and sifted through the kitchen section. I found a basket, a pair of tongs, a metal pot, a plastic bowl, a mini loaf pan, a scale, a pie server, and a squeeze handle scoop. I paid $13.
Incorporating different scoops and serving utensils provides children with the opportunity to build fine motor skills and the hand strength needed for writing later on.
Having a scale in the kitchen allows for children to explore the concept of weight. They can practice using a scale, investigate which objects weigh more or less, become familiar with related vocabulary, and begin building schema regarding weight.
Play based learning does in fact mean children get to play, but successful play-based setups have a goal in mind. That’s where being purposeful comes in.
