Play-Based Learning Activities for 6-Year-Olds

At the age of 6, children are brimming with energy and curiosity. It is our responsibility as parents and caregivers to ensure that we nurture that sense of curiosity in our little bundles of joy. Children learn by observing their parents and immediate surroundings. At the fragile age of six, one cannot expect a child to know what is best for his or her future. Education is and always will play a crucial role in determining the professional opportunities available as one grows up. Learning can often be quite boring, which is why we need to create activities for 6-year-olds to make it fun and interactive. Before we unravel our list of indoor and outdoor fun learning activities, let’s take a peek at the benefits that they offer.

Also read: Sports: Outdoor Activities for Students

Importance Of Engaging Learning Activities For Kids

Aids in cognitive development– One of the best ways of stimulating the process of cognitive development is by creating fun learning activities like puzzles, memory games and even board games. At the sensitive age of 6, a child’s mind is like a sponge, ready to absorb knowledge.
Stimulates physical development– Children develop motor skills by repeatedly performing an action and perfecting it. Engaging them in such educational activities provides an opportunity for your little ones to practise their motor skills. These basic movements are not only required for academics but also play a great role in everyday activities like tying a shoelace, putting on clothes and even cycling.
Develop social and emotional skills– In today’s world managing emotions and being a part of social gatherings has become vital. Mingling and associating with their peers while engaging in play-based learning helps mould them into social individuals who find it easy to communicate in different social groups. It also plays a great role in making children more expressive and better communicators.
Facilitates creativity and imagination– Activities like arts and crafts or even storytelling go a long way in moulding a child’s creativity, allowing him or her to think out of the box. Engaging outdoor games for 6-year-olds provides them the platform to view things from various perspectives.

Indoor Play-Based Learning Activities For 6-Year-Olds

Educational games– This is one of the most tried and tested indoor fun-based learning methods. Puzzles, board games and flashcards can be used in classrooms as well as at home to inculcate in kids a love for learning. It is vital for us as parents to choose puzzle-based games according to the mental age of our kids.
Arts and crafts in classrooms– While this may not be as open as conducting outside, surrounded by nature, it is important for it to be present in schools. Drawing and colouring books stimulate the curiosity of their minds and help in building creativity and motor skills. Other similar activities that can be performed indoors include clay modelling and collage making.

Also read: Stay and Play: Indoor Activities for Kids in Pune

Reading and storytelling– This age-old method makes use of voice modulation and innovative plots to make it appealing to children. Having a book club for children fosters a love for reading which reaps multiple benefits.
Conducting scientific experiments– Experiments in science are a wonderful way of appealing to young minds. In a controlled environment like a laboratory or even a classroom, kids can be monitored as they learn and perform simple experiments in a safe environment.
Music and dance- Singing aloud or using rhymes in learning has always yielded good results. This can be coupled with learning musical instruments to encourage kids to create their music.

Also read: Indoor Activities to Strengthen Gross Motor Skills

Outdoor Activities For 6-Year-Olds

Nature exploration activities– Some of the best play-based learning activities occur outside the classroom. They take many forms and most of the time do not require any fancy equipment. Incorporate learning into the long walks you take in the park with your little ones. Teach them to identify different plants and birds. The same can be executed when on a camping trip. One of the best educational games to play outside is planting a sapling in your garden. Show your kids how to do it and make them emulate what you do.
Outdoor physical activities– Such activities include obstacle courses, bike riding and ball games like cricket and football. These activities aid in not only speeding up the process of cognitive development but also in developing fine motor skills, teamwork and coordination.

Also read: Creative Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids

Outdoor Arts and Crafts– Learning while creating art is one of the most appealing ways to encourage and motivate students to learn. Implementing nature crafts like collecting leaves and twigs to create art makes children think imaginatively. Likewise, drawing and colouring with chalk on sidewalks or even water painting can be fun and engaging methods of getting children to love learning.
Community activities– Children should be taught from a young age about the importance of living peacefully. Engage your children in small awareness programmes that take place in your community as it gives them a chance to bond with others as well as acquire knowledge.

Also read: 11 Must-Try Outdoor Activities for Kids in Bangalore

Here at EuroSchool, we adopt an innovative and engaging approach to learning to keep kids enthralled and engaged. Our curriculum comprises a mix of academic as well as activity-based learning exercises. If you want to know more about the kind of education we provide, check out our blog.