Do you know how easy it is to build confidence in students through play? Students also physically develop through play by practicing skills like hand-eye coordination to develop fine motor skills. Additionally play helps boost social skills, expands kiddos critical thinking skills, and encourages creativity which help kiddos succeed and feel confident both academically and socially.
Children Build Confidence by Playing
Of course, all children love to play! When children play their language, physical, and cognitive abilities develop through their play experiences, as well as their concentration, imagination, self-confidence and social skills. Check out how to develop active listening during a game.
📌THIS IMAGE FOR LATER
Build Emotional Confidence through Play
Play also helps kiddos process difficult emotions. Play gives kiddos a way to express things they are struggling with that they don’t yet have the words to fully explain. Giving kiddos space to play allows them to work through feelings such as fear, loss or even pain while being able to still act like a child.
Surprisingly Easy Ways to Build Self-Confidence Through Play
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Give lots of praise when a child plays well.
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Use age-appropriate toys that challenge a child’s understanding.
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Gently encourage a child to play with puzzle toys.
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Aim for the child to increase learning in small stages by providing a variety of play opportunities.
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Provide choices.
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Prove that you are interested by watching your child at play.
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Be sympathetic when a child becomes frustrated in play.
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Avoid comparing the way one child plays with the way another child plays.
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Brag about the child’s play achievements in front of them.
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Give the child your attention during the play time.
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HAVE FUN!!
How do I add play in the classroom?
With so many skills to teach in the classroom, it may seem overwhelming to think about adding play. I make games that incorporate academic skills and I also give kiddos “choices” when they are working independently at centers or after their assigned work is finished.
Of course, you can check the pictures below for fun games that develop reading and math skills through play. You can see a few fun alphabet games we play to help develop phonemic awareness and letter identification.
Make every day playful,
💖Debora
💖Debora
Great ideas.
Thanks! It's so important in small fun ways!
Boosting a child's self confidence through play is a wonderful idea!
Thanks Jen! Easy ways to make it happen!