Four bedsheets, sewed together into a large parachute; little ping pong balls are flying everywhere in the air. Twenty three to five year olds having the time of their lives, giggling , chasing the once airborne balls. “It’s so simple, and they love it,” said a mother, while she captured the moment on her phone camera.

Play is enjoyable and play may be simple, but play is fundamental to every interaction and connection children make in their early years. Play is the way in which children explore and experiment with emotions, social interactions, new ideas and learning.  If you’ve been following me at Lessons Learnt Journal for any length of time, you’ll know that play and games for kids has become a huge part of my world.

I have had four kids within the space of three and a half years. I have seen the importance of play in the context of their holistic development. Providing children, especially in their preschool years, with play opportunities is crucial in developing their curiosity, experimenting and risk taking. These play opportunities allow children to explore who they are, and allow them to grow as confident learners.

The saying, the days are long, but the years are short, rings so true. How quickly those preschool years fly by. Some of our favourite preschool activities feature our range of home-made play dough; large scale painting and painting requiring finer motor skills; playing and working outdoors in our garden; hunting for creatures large and small; and of course making our own dinosaur fossils.

We have fond memories of play because of there is an amazing play loving blogging community who shout out from their virtual roof tops, the most creative, fun, engaging activities for kids. I am so grateful when other parents share what has worked for them. I love being inspired by great ideas, trying them out and seeing my children play, learn and grow.

After the success of the Zero to Two Book of Play. there were requests from readers for an eBook of playful ideas for three to five year olds. We heard the requests and are thrilled to share with you the Three to Five Playful Preschool eBook. It is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. This amazing resource has:

• Hands-on, play-based learning
• Inspiring ideas, but really practical and everything all in one place 
• Great photos, step-by-step guides, all things you can easily try at home
• 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources (inc. city scape play scene, My First Journal pages, recipe card, numbers game, weather chart printables, alphabet play mats, unique hand-drawn art pages, conversation cards, block building challenge cards, bookmarks) and additional links to over 50 more activities
  
• Great range of activities: hands-on, learning through play, math, language, literacy, science, art and play.

Check out this video for a sneak peek of  the Three to Five Playful Preschool eBook.

To celebrate the release of Three to Five Playful Preschool, the eBook will be $6.99USD for one week only. After the 25th May, 2014 you can purchase the eBook for $8.99USD. You can buy your Three to Five Playful Preschool, on any device, and download the eBook when you are ready.

(You can buy the book anywhere in the world. Paypal will take care of any currency conversions.)

Happy playing, because #playmatters!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Games for Kids: Three to Five Playful Preschool eBook by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

True story: Another kindergarten teacher visits my class while we were doing some bubble art. During lunch, in the teacher’s staffroom, he asks if I have more play ideas. I say, “Yes,”… (of course!) lol. If you’ve been following me at Lessons Learnt Journal for any length of time, you’ll know that play and games for kids has become a huge part of my world.

I have had four kids within the space of three and a half years. I have seen my children thrive as we embraced the world of play-based learning. Kids have a natural enthusiasm for learning through their natural curiosity about the world around them. They are keen to learn, with inquisitive minds. When watching and hearing them play, I find it fascinating to think about the complex processes that are happening within play.

Play is appropriate for humans of any age. I will always treasure the memories of my babies and toddlers playing and drawing in their big cardboard box and making a collage with sticky back paper. I will always keep a ball in our home for baby ball games, should we have baby and toddler guests. 

I know how tricky it can be to find games for kids, (especially when you are sleep deprived). I know how valuable it is when other mums share what has worked for them. I love being inspired by great ideas, trying them out and seeing my children play, learn and grow.

I’m super chuffed to be one of the authors the Zero to Two Book of Play. I’ve seen the published version and it’s simply amazing.

• It’s filled with inspiring play ideas that are really practical and doable!
• The photos are beautiful.
• There are simple, clear step-by-step guides for things you can easily try at home.
• There are 25 ideas for babies and toddlers, and additional links to over 50 more activities. 
• There’s a great range of activities: the classics, things with a twist, sensory; all with a focus on play, backed up with lots of learning.

Check out this video for a sneak peek into the Zero to Two Book of Play.

To celebrate the release of the Zero to Two Book of Play, the eBook will be $6.99USD for one week only. After the 16th February, 2014 you can purchase the eBook for $8.99USD. You can buy your Zero to Two Book of Play, on any device, and download the eBook when you are ready.

(You can buy the book anywhere in the world. Paypal will take care of any currency conversions.)

Happy playing, because #playmatters!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment; I’d love to hear from you. If you are new here, you might like to receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.

The post Games for Kids: Zero to Two Book of Play by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.