Opportunities for interactive learning don’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Conventional teaching methods are sometimes called-for, but they can be a bit dull, particularly for younger children. Fortunately, parents and teachers have many ways to teach children interactively, in ways that are fun and engaging. Parents in particular can use interactive activities to encourage a love for learning in their children, because interactive learning is enjoyable and great at captivating a child’s interest.
There are countless interactive activities that are terrific for helping children learn, and if you’re a parent, you probably already have the things you need for many of them. Board games and card games, for example, help children learn while they are interacting with others in a structured, yet playful environment. Another great benefit of interactive learning is that it can strengthen bonds between parents and children. Here are some of the ways interactive learning benefits children.
How Interactive Learning Encourages Social Skill Development
nteractive learning experiences help children develop social skills by encouraging organized communication among children and with adults involved in the activities. But even when an adult teaches a game and then steps aside to let the children play, children still practice following the game’s rules, taking turns, and negotiating. Basic conflict resolution may come into play as well. Interactive activities help children learn to trust each other and work together to achieve goals, and these skills will be of lifelong value. In fact, providing opportunities in a safe environment in which children can practice social skills is an excellent way to help children develop these skills.
Memory Development and Interactive Learning
When you teach a child how to play a game that’s appropriate for her development level, you help her learn logic, use her imagination, and engage her creativity. Different types of interaction strengthen different areas of memory. Puzzles help with memory and logic, while activities that involve teamwork strengthen children’s thinking and cooperation at the same time. The great thing about games and other interactive activities is that children who might grow frustrated with other learning methods may stick with games longer because play itself is rewarding. This has the further benefit of helping a child develop patience.
Games can be enjoyable ways for kids to learn logic and develop memory skills.
Interactive Learning and Motor Skills Development
Interactive physical activities not only help a child’s fitness and benefit his health, they develop important motor skills that can improve their abilities in the classroom. For example, simply throwing and catching a ball helps develop hand-eye coordination and improves manual dexterity, which can help when a child works on classroom skills like using scissors and learning to write letters and numbers. Playing games like hide and seek, red light-green light, or simply dancing to catchy music helps children develop strength, coordination, and balance. Moreover, regular physical activity has been correlated with better thinking skills.
Conclusion
Interactive learning can work where traditional classroom teaching may fall short. Not only do children learn by interacting, they develop positive feelings of accomplishment from mastering new knowledge and skills. Games, puzzles, and other interactive activities reward children for developing skills and can give them confidence they need to take the risks that go along with learning new things and mastering new skills. By helping children think outside their typical learning modes, interactive learning inspires creativity and lets children feel a sense of accomplishment that encourages further learning. Best of all, it can be done with minimal expense and preparation, and helps strengthen bonds between children and their parents and teachers.
