Wow. Seven short months ago, a group of Aussie bloggers who believe that play matters started using the #playmatters hash tag on Instagram and invited the whole world to join them. Seven short months later, we have over 10,000 playful moments. 10,000 + playful moments proclaiming, play matters.

My mind boggles at the number a bit. If you have been part of the #playmatters crowd, thank you so much. It’s inspiring and so comforting to see so many families in the world playing. Too awesome.

Looking forward to the next 10,000. xo P

You can become part of the #playmatters community on Instagram by simply:

• Uploading your play related photos onto Instagram;
• Then pick a fun filter; (choices, choices!);
• Add a caption and the hashtag #playmatters;
• Click share!
• Then, (here’s the fun part), check out other #playmatters photos by searching for the #playmatters hashtag. Be inspired, laugh and cry with others. Meet, support and be supported by others who also believe that play matters.

(P.S. My Instagram user name is @pauline_lessonslearntjournal. Would love it if you would come and say Hi!).

Don’t have Instagram? You can still see #playmatters photos through Facebook and Twitter. Simply search for #playmatters. Want to share a photo? Upload your #playmatters pic through Facebook or Twitter and add #playmatters as part of your caption for the photo.

Follow our #playmatters Pinterest Board for more playful moments. We’re a team of play loving bloggers pinning fab play ideas wherever we find it. We all have one thing in common, we all believe that play matters and we hunt down the best kids activities for you.

More Activities for Preschoolers

Three to Five: Playful Preschool is stuffed to the brim with tried, tested and loved playful learning ideas for preschoolers. There are 25+ ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources and additional links to over 50 more activities. A great resource for parents. Download your copy here.

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 #playmatters: 10,000+ playful moments by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
Are you on Instagram and have play photos to share? Join the #playmatters community.
You can become part of the #playmatters community on Instagram by simply:

• Uploading your play related photos onto Instagram;
• Pick a fun filter, (choices, choices!);
• Add a caption and the hashtag #playmatters;
• Click share!
• Then, (here’s the fun part), check out other #playmatters photos by searching for the #playmatters hashtag. Be inspired, laugh and cry with others. Meet, support and be supported by others who also believe that play matters.

 
My Instagram user name is @pauline_lessonslearntjournal. Would love it if you would come and say Hi!

 
Follow @pauline_lessonslearntjournal

Need more inspiration? Follow #playmatters on Pinterest.

We’ve got a brilliant team pinning the best play ideas wherever they find them. We believe that play matters and we hunt down the best kids activities for you. Follow our #playmatters Pinterest Board.

The post Play Matters Instagram Journal: Monkeys by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

#playmatters: Parenting Mistakes #2

Do you make the mistake of always asking your kids, “Was that fun?”

 
Our first #playmatters parenting mistake was not playing with kids and getting down to their level. But what about our conversations around play? What sort of questions do you ask your kids about play?

 
“Was that fun?” How often do those words spill out of our mouths after our kids have finished playing? I don’t want to be a party pooper and perpetrate the idea that this isn’t an appropriate question. Just as much as I believe that #playmatters, of course play is fun.

 
However, when our kids play, they may also come across conflict; or frustration, which may or may not be resolved. It’s all part and parcel of learning and life.

 
There’s something to be said about developing our children’s resilience. Resilience is a remarkable thing; to face difficulty and not crumble into a heap. Or if we do crumble into a heap, to be able to pick ourselves up, to keep a steady course and level head to go through the difficulty. Resilience is indeed a remarkable and precious character trait.

 
Yes, #playmatters. Yes, play can be fun. Yes, it is okay to ask our children, “Was that fun?” But here are some other questions you could ask your children after they have finished playing. These questions build deeper conversations. These questions have the scope to help our children think beyond their self-seeking desires. These questions model a healthy framework of thought for our children when they do come across those tough times when resilience is required.

• What did you do?
• Can you tell me what you’ve learnt?
• What are you thankful for? I love this question because regardless of the play experience (e.g. new or familiar; a calm experience, or one filled with frustration), we can still learn to be thankful.

Join the fun and be part of the #playmatters community.

 
It’s only been two weeks since the launch of #playmatters and the #playmatters community has taken off with gusto. As of the time of writing this post, there are already well over 1100 #playmatters photos. It’s so exciting. For those of you who are already part of the #playmatters community, thank you! It’s so wonderful to see so many children all around the world playing because #playmatters.

 
If you haven’t already, join in the fun and join the #playmatters community!

 
You can become part of the #playmatters community on Instagram by simply:

• Uploading your play related photos onto Instagram;
• Pick a fun filter, (choices, choices!);
• Add a caption and the hashtag #playmatters;
• Click share!
• Then, (here’s the fun part), check out other #playmatters photos by searching for the #playmatters hashtag. Be inspired, laugh and cry with others. Meet, support and be supported by others who also believe that play matters.

 
My Instagram user name is @pauline_lessonslearntjournal. Would love it if you would come and say Hi!

 
Don’t have Instagram? You can still see #playmatters photos through the Instagram tab on the Lessons Learnt Journal Facebook Page. Want to share a photo? Please share it through the Lessons Learnt Journal Facebook Page and add #playmatters as part of your caption for the photo.

Need more inspiration?

 
Follow the #playmatters Pinterest Board.

 
*We believe that play matters and we hunt down the best kids activities for you. Follow our #playmatters Pinterest Board.

More confessions?

 
I make plenty of parenting mistakes with kids. As part of the #playmatters initiative, I will be sharing a number of parenting mistakes I make with my kids. So, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on learning from my parenting mistakes.

 
We have a fun free printable for our subscribers: 5 quick ways to have happy kids.

 
Don’t miss our next #playmatters: Parenting Misktakes #3 where I fess up about our TV watching habits.

Adventures at home with Mum

Aspiring Mum

At Home with Ali

Childhood101

Danya Banya

Easy Peasy Kids

Four Little Piglets

Just for Daisy

Ladybug’s Spots

Laughing Kids Learn

Learn with Play at Home

Learning to Play and Playing to Learn

Lessons Learnt Journal

My Little Bookcase

Octavia and Vicky

One Perfect Day

Picklebums

Playing and Learning Begins at Home

Triple T Mum

Wildlife Fun 4 Kids

The post #playmatters: Parenting Mistakes #2 by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.

 
I know you’re a fun loving sort of person who agrees that #playmatters because you’re here at Lessons Learnt Journal where we’re all about sharing great activities for children.

 
Don’t miss any of the great activities for children from us by simply subscribing to our email.

 
For all our wonderful email subscribers, we have a beautiful free printable, 5 quick ways to have happy kids because #playmatters. We hope you enjoy these 5 simple ways to play to have happy kids. Print it off, stick it to your fridge and happy playing!

 
(Psst… have you checked out the #playmatters community yet?).

The post #playmatters 5 quick ways to have happy kids by Pauline appeared first on Lessons Learnt Journal.