Building Essential Life Skills through Playgroup Activities: A Focus on Early Childhood Development

16 Jul Building Essential Life Skills through Playgroup Activities: A Focus on Early Childhood Development

At the onset, let us get started by understanding what life skills are. According to UNICEF, life skill education is a behaviour change or behaviour development approach to address a balance of three areas; knowledge, attitude, and skills. World Health Organization (WHO) defined life skills as “the abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of every day.”

Is there a need for your child to be equipped with life skills at an early age?

Without doubt! Essential life skills are important for preschool-aged children because they provide a foundation for their future development and well-being. These life skills help to also improve your child’s executive function,  setting the foundation for the rest of their lives.

Besides, research proves that life skill education also enhances the academic performance of children. If life skills are introduced in schools, children grow as adults having a strong sense of self. Life skills equip them with better-adapted skills to face the challenges that come their way and deal with them in an efficient manner.

Let us look at five ways in which essential life skills and early childhood development matter.

1. They promote independence and self-sufficiency Life skills such as self-care and problem-solving can help your children to become more independent and capable of taking care of themselves. This not only gives them a sense of confidence and self- esteem — it also sets the foundation for positive life habits.
2. They foster social and emotional development Social skills, emotional regulation, and self-control are vital skills for children to acquire at an early age. These abilities help them to interact effectively with others and navigate the social world around them.
3. They prepare children for school Life skills like communication, problem-solving, and creativity are important for success in school. Children who have developed these skills are more likely to be engaged in learning and to have the ability to take on more complex tasks.
4. They provide the foundation for future success Essential life skills form the foundation for later life skills. They help to establish your child’s future success in areas such as education, work and relationships.
5. They promote overall well-being Life skills such as self-care, emotional regulation, and self-control can help children learn how to take care of their own physical and emotional needs, which can lead to better overall well-being. Such skills can carry them through all the way to adulthood.

Early childhood development is a critical period in human development, characterized by rapid growth and profound learning experiences. Playgroups, as informal educational settings, play a pivotal role in nurturing this developmental phase. These environments are not merely about play; they are about fostering essential life skills that form the bedrock of future success and well-being. Building these skills at the playgroup level is integral to shaping well-rounded, confident, and capable individuals.

In playgroups, children are introduced to a variety of activities that are designed to develop social, emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities. Through structured and unstructured play, children learn to interact with peers, solve problems, communicate effectively, and manage their emotions. These skills are foundational, influencing not only their academic journey but also their ability to navigate the complexities of life.

Mainadevi Bajaj International Playschool, one of the best playschools in Malad, offers many life skills activities. Here are some of which are integrated into our curriculum.

1. Social Skills Activities:  Group Games: Simple games like “Simon Says” teach children to take turns and follow rules.
2. Role-Playing: Setting up scenarios like a grocery store or a doctor’s office helps children learn to interact and empathize with others.
3. Communication Skills Activities:   Story Time: Reading books aloud and discussing the story helps with listening and speaking skills.
4. Show and Tell: Encouraging children to bring in items from home and talk about them builds confidence in public speaking.
5. Emotional Regulation Activities:   Feelings Circle: A daily or weekly activity where children share how they feel using pictures or words helps them recognize and express emotions.
6. Mindfulness Exercises: Simple breathing exercises or guided meditations teach children to manage stress and anxiety.
7. Problem-Solving Skills Activities:   Puzzle Games: Solving jigsaw puzzles or playing with building blocks encourages critical thinking and perseverance.
8. Obstacle Courses: Setting up physical challenges that require planning and execution enhances problem-solving abilities.
9. Fine and Gross Motor Skills Activities:   Arts and Crafts: Activities like drawing, cutting, and gluing improve fine motor skills.
10. Outdoor Play: Running, jumping, and climbing activities develop gross motor skills and overall physical health.
11. Independence and Responsibility Activities:   Clean-Up Time: Assigning simple tasks like tidying up toys teaches responsibility and the importance of taking care of one’s environment.
12. Self-Care Routines: Encouraging children to practice dressing, washing hands and other self-care tasks promotes independence.
13. Cognitive Skills Activities:   Memory Games: Playing games that require remembering sequences or matching pairs improves memory and cognitive function.
14. Educational Games: Using age-appropriate educational games can enhance cognitive development in a fun way.
15. Creativity and Imagination Activities:   Free Play: Allowing children time for unstructured play fosters creativity and imagination.
16. Music and Dance: Singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments encourage creative expression.
17. Collaboration and Teamwork Activities:   Building Projects: Working together on building a fort or a LEGO structure teaches teamwork and collaboration.
18. Group Art Projects: Creating a mural or a large artwork as a group encourages cooperation and shared goals.
19. Environmental Awareness Activities:   Nature Walks: Exploring nature and discussing plants, animals, and the environment instills a sense of appreciation and responsibility for the natural world.
20. Gardening: Simple gardening activities teach children about the life cycle of plants and the importance of caring for the environment.

Incorporating these activities into a playgroup helps in creating a rich, engaging environment and supports the development of essential life skills in young children.

Both parents and teachers need to play a key role in building life skills in children. Parent’s Guide for building life skills in toddlers.

There are various ways to develop essential life skills in your child. We advocate parents to use an age-by-age approach, equipping your child with the right life skills depending on their readiness. At two years old, your little one is full of energy and ready to learn new things! One of the most important things for them to learn at this age is how to use their body and hands. Here are some fun and easy ways you can help them develop their gross and fine motor skills: Clean up time! Help your child learn to pick up their toys and put them away. Show them how to hold the toys and walk to the toy shelf to put them back. This will not only teach them about tidiness, but help with their balance and movement. After meal helpers: Encourage your child to help you by carrying their plates to the sink. This will help them develop their balance and movement. Remember to be patient if they drop something — encourage them to try again. Getting dressed: Help your child learn to undress themselves by guiding them through the process. Show them how to pull down their pants and skirts and they’ll gradually learn to do it on their own. Brush, brush, brush: Teeth brushing can be tricky for toddlers, so they’ll still need your help. Hold their hand and guide them while brushing their teeth and use this opportunity to teach them about numbers by counting the strokes. Clean hands: Show your child how to wash their hands by turning on the faucet, lathering their hands with soap, washing between their fingers, rinsing and wiping dry. Starting to wash their hands early is a great way to teach them about hygiene. Hair care: Help your child comb their hair each day by setting a routine hair-combing session in front of the mirror. Let them hold the comb and guide their hand when combing from the crown of their head downwards. This will teach them about grooming and self-care.

At MBIP, the teachers share links about the activities and songs with parents for the children to learn at home. Thus, parents and teachers collaborate and work together, ensuring that their children get the best learning experience. Our teachers help the children to understand and express their emotions in a healthy manner by teaching them about myriad emotions and how to deal with them effectively. We also focus on teaching children to be independent by emphasizing on the importance of chores at home as chores help children to learn responsibility and self-reliance. Studies reveal that chores are good children. So the children are encouraged to do simple chores at home like setting up the dinner table, to put their dishes away after a meal or picking their toys each day. We also conduct various activities like role play, showing educational videos and making use of puppets to make life skills engaging and interactive. There are theme-based learning activities that make learning much more fun and engaging for the children.

Life skill education is much needed for school children and is found to be an effective mode of education for enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. It also encourages healthy behaviour and increases self-confidence in children. It makes them confident, cooperative and communicative. It also prepares their mindset to take action in any difficult circumstances.

Building essential skills at the playgroup level is fundamental for holistic early childhood development. It prepares children not only for academic success but also for a well-rounded and fulfilling life. Playgroup activities provide a nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and grow, laying the groundwork for their future endeavours.