21 August, 2024

Understanding Your Child's Play Style: Tips for Supporting Learning Through Play

As parents, one of the greatest joys is watching our children play. But did you know that play isn’t just about fun? It’s a critical part of a child’s development, helping them learn about the world, express themselves, and develop essential life skills. Every child has a unique way of playing, often referred to as their "play language," "play schema," and "learning style." Understanding these aspects can help you support your child’s growth and tailor their play experiences to suit their individual needs.

What Is Play Language?

A child's play language is the way they naturally engage with the world during playtime. It’s how they express themselves, communicate, and learn through play. Some children may be more inclined towards imaginative play, creating elaborate stories and scenarios, while others may prefer physical play, exploring their environment through movement and interaction.

How to Identify Your Child’s Play Language

To understand your child’s play language, observe what they naturally gravitate towards during playtime. Do they enjoy pretending to be different characters, or do they love building and constructing? Do they engage in role-play with friends, or are they more solitary, enjoying puzzles and problem-solving games? Identifying these preferences can help you choose the right activities and toys that align with their interests and developmental needs.

What Is a Play Schema?

Play schemas are patterns of repeated behaviour that children use during play to explore their world and make sense of it. These schemas are universal and often occur across different cultures and environments. Recognising your child’s play schema can give you insights into their developmental stage and interests.

Common Play Schemas Include:

Transporting: Moving objects from one place to another, which helps develop motor skills and understanding of space.
Enveloping: Wrapping objects or themselves, showing a need to understand boundaries and containment.
Rotation: Fascination with spinning objects, wheels, or themselves, indicating an interest in circular movements and mechanics.
Trajectory: Throwing objects, jumping off surfaces, exploring how things move through the air.

Understanding your child's play schema allows you to provide toys and activities that satisfy their curiosity and support their learning journey.

Learning Styles and Play

Every child learns differently, and their play style often reflects their preferred way of learning. Here are the three main learning styles and how they might show up during play:

Visual Learners: These children are attracted to bright colours, shapes, and patterns. They love picture books, drawing, and puzzles. For visual learners, consider toys like Philly & Friends’ “Colours” book, which is designed to engage their love for visual exploration.
Auditory Learners: Children who are auditory learners enjoy sounds, music, and verbal instructions. They thrive when playing with musical toys, listening to stories, or engaging in play that involves talking or singing. The Philly & Friends Audiobook is a perfect match for these children, offering stories that stimulate their auditory senses.
Kinesthetic Learners: These learners need to move and touch to learn. They enjoy physical activities, building, and hands-on projects. For them, consider Philly & Friends’ “Puzzles” which encourages them to engage their hands and minds simultaneously.

Tailoring Play to Your Child’s Style

Once you understand your child's play language, play schema, and learning style, you can better support their development with tailored play experiences. At Philly & Friends, we believe in the power of play to inspire, educate, and empower children. That’s why our collection of products is designed to cater to different play styles, encouraging every child to grow and thrive in their unique way.

Discover Your Child’s Play Style with Our Quiz

We’ve created a fun and easy quiz to help you identify your child’s play style. By understanding their preferences, you can select toys and activities that will best support their development. Take the quiz here.

Recommended Philly & Friends Products for Each Play Style

For Visual Learners: Check out our beautifully illustrated “Philly & Friends Books & Cards” collection, designed to engage your child's love for colours and storytelling.
For Auditory Learners: Our Philly & Friends Audiobook provide captivating stories that will delight and educate auditory learners.
For Kinesthetic Learners: Encourage hands-on learning with our Philly & Friends Wooden Puzzles. Perfect for children who love to build, create, and explore through touch.
For Imaginative Play and Nurturing Schemas: The Philly & Friends Handmade Dolls are a wonderful companion for children who love role-playing, nurturing, and imaginative storytelling. These dolls encourage empathy, creativity, and a deeper emotional connection, making them perfect for children who enjoy caring for others, whether it’s playing house, creating stories, or simply having a comforting friend by their side.

Understanding your child’s play language, play schema, and learning style is key to fostering their growth and development. By providing the right toys and activities that align with their natural preferences, you empower them to learn and thrive in a way that’s uniquely theirs. At Philly & Friends, we’re here to support you on this journey with products that inspire, educate, and celebrate every child’s unique potential.