Create a Fun Learning Session for the Child

As the gestational age of mothers reach 3-4 months, the brain cells of the fetus have started to form. Then, as the child is born and up to the age of 3 years old, the brain cells multiply to reach billions. However, most of these cells are not interconnected yet. At a gestational age of 6 months, intercellular connections are formed, leading to the appearance of a series of brain functions. The quality of the connections between these brain cells is determined by the stimulations conducted by the parents or the environment of the child.

The more variable the stimulations conducted, the more complex the intracellular connections formed. Furthermore, the more often and regular the stimulations provided, the stronger the intracellular connections. Complex and strong connections between brain cells lead to higher and more variable types of intelligence in the child in the future. If parents conduct variable stimulations, the child is more likely to have multiple intelligences.

To ensure that the brain functions of the child develop optimally, stimulations should be conducted daily for all sensory systems, gross motor, fine motor, as well as communication abilities. Playing is the easiest type of stimulation that can be conducted with the child. Playing allows children to express themselves and stimulates their imagination.

What types of play activities are recommended to stimulate the child? Certainly, the activities should have rules, and not just involve play. Play activities should involve interactions with parents, caregivers, or peers, in order to sharpen the social interaction abilities of the child.

Learning while playing by conducting creative activities is very helpful for the brain development of the child. Parents can use simple materials available at home to create new items such as origami papers, leftover milk cartons, tissue rolls, or foam. The activities conducted can involve drawing, pasting, colouring, or creating something.

The following are several examples of creative activities that parents can do together with their children:

• Creating robots or guitars using leftover milk cartons.
• Creating dolls using leftover tissue rolls or drink bottles. The child can draw the face and outfit of the doll. Cotton or wool threads can be used for the hair. After this is done, create a role play with a story together with them.
• Create wall hangings made of colourful leaves. Collect leaves that fall in the house garden. The more varied its shape, the better. Dip the leaves in paint and paste them on paper.
• Create food with the child, such as doughnuts. Let them assist you in counting the amount of ingredients; mix it, and select the toppings.

How does this sound? Enough to provide ideas for creative learning with the child, right? To obtain other ideas, visit this page. There, parents can select activities according to the age of the child. Parents should ensure that the atmosphere for learning while playing is enjoyable for the child, regardless of the activity.