The Importance of Creating a Special Learning and Playing Corner for Your Kids
The process of learning is complex, and it requires much more than parents’ attention, teachers and books. In fact, many experts often view the environment as the “third teacher”, because it enhances or interferes learning and independence. Playing, as a special form of learning, also deserves some attention, especially in younger kids’ rooms. Let us see the reasons behind this before moving on to some practical tips about creating these zones and making our kids’ childhood the best and most productive it can be.
The “third teacher” phenomenon
The way the kids’ room is set up will contribute to the overall atmosphere and affect children’s behavior and skills. Ideally, the environment should pose both challenges and opportunities. And while there should be easy-to-access objects and easy-to-tackle toys, kids should also be presented with some challenges that will motivate them to use their logic and motor skills to achieve a goal (e.g. building blocks). Also, it is very important for the kids to feel safe and protected in their rooms.
Isn’t the entire room a “third teacher” then?
Of course it is. Kids (especially younger) will learn a number of things in the most unexpected places, even in living rooms and kitchens, so you won’t be mistaken if you claim that the whole room is the kids’ learning space. However, when the kids acquire the basic skills and when they become ready for more studious learning, they should have a space where they can express their creativity and further develop their skills and intelligence.
Zoning the room
Although we should never set boundaries for our kids’ imagination, especially not in the space they think of as their own, zoning the room can help them focus on different activities. Here are some useful kids’ room zones you should consider:
If you are going to introduce more of these zones into the kids’ room, you should separate them aesthetically and spatially. Leave some free space between them and use attractive rugs to create unique spaces.
Let there be freedom
Believe it or not, the most important space in kids’ room isn’t packed with toys, books, or any kind of other things. On the contrary, it is completely empty. Kids feel cramped in cluttered spaces, where they don’t have enough room to run, jump and create all sorts of imaginative scenarios. So, make sure you leave enough of free space in the middle of the room, and also enough space between different zones so that they can move freely throughout their room.
Our children are born with immense potential. What they are going to do with it is primarily up to us, especially in their early years. Therefore, it is crucial to create a friendly environment where their knowledge and confidence can thrive.
