What Is “Invitation To Play”?

What is an invitation to play? It's simpler than you think, and really exactly as it sounds. Invitation To Play is a way for children to learn and play creatively through use of materials. Your job? Just supply the collection of interesting, unique, or diverse objects and materials they will be playing and discovering with. Sound simple? It is. Sensory play is perfect for growing brains, and includes any activity that develops or stimulates your baby or child's senses. When children play using scientific processes (discovery play), this stimulates their senses to help them develop cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively. 

Your goal with this play is to be open-ended, with no specific outcome or requirement to finish playing. This simply means, don't have an expectation for them to complete a "project" in any structured way. If you are setting out finger paints, toilet paper tubes, sponges, and water, the idea would be that we don't expect them to create an art project but rather play with the items in a way they choose. 

If you are wanting to steer your playtime into more constructive learning, remember to keep it simple. Don't force it, instead supply the tools and items for that subject or development area. For example, sensory play stations you provide can be specific to the "subject" or theme. It's amazing what is learned through dramatic and pretend play! If your goal is to learn more about colours, shapes, or numbers, then your items in play would include those colours, shapes, or numbers.

Invitation To Play is not just for toddlers and big kids. Babies also benefit from this free-play! Again, keep it simple. Babies and young toddlers learn best by hands on play, with younger babes mouthing objects. Remember to keep play items a safe size, and safe to put in mouths. Sensory play is a great option for this age group, or discovery baskets. You can easily make several sensory or discovery options, and rotate through the month. Baby friendly objects would include items such as balls, colourful scarves, musical instruments, bubbles, books, flowers (edible or safe such as tulip touching, or dandelion squishing), blocks, etc. Try to incorporate different textures, sizes, colours, sounds, and sensations. And don't be afraid to get messy! Babies also love to squish food and mud between their hands, touch sand, play in water, or swat at foam.

Here are some great ideas to use for your next Invitation To Play!

• Glow in the Dark Play: set up a tray in a darkened room with glow sticks, battery operated tea lights in plastic coloured cups, a mirror (for underneath!), small flashlights, coloured beads or decorative glass beads (Dollar Store).
• Water Play: (if you are playing inside, be sure to set out a towel to protect the space from water) use sponges, cups, spoons, food colouring, dry beans, water beads, medicine dropper, strainers, or ice cubs (try colouring these!) to enhance water play.
• Balls & Bowls: perfect for babies and young toddlers, who will enjoy this quiet playtime activity. Set out an assortment of sizes and types of balls in a basket or bucket, with different bowls and containers set out beside it. Watch them fit and place them into the different containers, dump out, and fill them back up!
• Apple Cinnamon Sensory Bin: Perfect for fall, fill the bottom of a shallow dish with oatmeal, cinnamon sticks, fake apples, real apple halves, etc.
• Cornstarch & Water:  Set out a protective mat for the play area, bowls and containers of cornstarch and water, spoons, straws, utensils, cups, dye, whisk, droppers, etc.
• Tea Party Playtime: Set out your favourite play tea set, and enjoy playtime with pompoms of assorted sizes, fake food, playdough, fake flowers, scarves & gloves.
• Natural Items Bin: Fill a basket with natural play items of wood, felted wool, cotton, or nature items to discover. 
• Playdough Playtime: Add magnetic numbers and letters, string, popsicle sticks, buttons, sequins, and more to playtime to add some fun to the standard dough time.
• Foam Play: Use this great recipe for Cotton Candy Foam and customize with colours to create a fun alternative pretend play activity. Try scooping it for "ice cream" or just pop the bubbles. 
• Rice or Sand Drawing: Practice writing and drawing to enhance fine motor skills with fingers or tools.
• Feather Play: Just as it sounds, set out feathers for tickling and more!