“Honey, do you know any folk games?” – A familiar question from grandparents and parents to young children. From childhood, we have grown up with simple but extremely fun folk games. So, what benefits do traditional toys bring to preschoolers and how can we effectively introduce these games to them?
The Great Value of Traditional Toys for Preschoolers
1. Developing Motor Skills
“Homegrown” – that is the hallmark of traditional toys. From natural materials such as bamboo, reeds, wood, paper… skillful adult hands transform them into kites flying in the sky, spinning tops whirling on the ground, or flutes whistling bird songs. By playing these games, children develop motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and enhance flexibility and dexterity.
2. Fostering Imagination and Creativity
“Imagination is the power of mankind,” and traditional toys are a wonderful tool to help children develop imagination. Without fixed patterns, children can freely create, turning simple objects into characters and stories according to their preferences.
Ví dụ: A leaf can become a boat, a dry twig can become a magic wand… Through playing folk games, children are free to explore the world around them, create their own stories and characters, thereby fostering independence, confidence, and creativity.
3. Promoting Communication and Cooperation
“Fun is the main thing” – that is the motto of folk games. Children play together, share joy, and perform tasks together, thereby enhancing communication, cooperation skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Ví dụ: In the game “Ô ăn quan” (Mandarin Square Capturing), children must learn how to calculate, strategize, and cooperate to win together.
4. Preserving and Promoting Traditional Cultural Beauty
Traditional toys are an indispensable part of the national cultural heritage. By playing these games, children will be exposed to the culture, history, and traditional values of the nation, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting those cultural beauties.
How to Integrate Traditional Toys into Preschool Education Activities
“Learn through play, play to learn” – that is the motto of preschool education. To effectively integrate traditional toys into educational activities, the following should be noted:
- Choose age-appropriate games: Each folk game is suitable for a specific age group. Choose simple, easy-to-play games that are appropriate for children’s comprehension and motor skills.
- Create a safe and fun play environment: Prepare all necessary materials for the game, ensuring safety for children while playing.
- Encourage creativity: Do not force children to play according to a fixed pattern, create conditions for children to freely create and transform games according to their preferences.
- Combine with learning activities: Folk games can be combined with learning activities such as storytelling, singing, dancing, and poetry to create excitement for children.
Ví dụ: In classrooms at Quận 8 International Kindergarten, teachers often combine folk games with learning activities to help children absorb knowledge naturally and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional Toys for Preschoolers
1. How to create traditional toys from natural materials?
Preschool Education Expert Tran Thi Thanh Tam shares: “To create traditional toys from natural materials, ingenuity and creativity are needed. You can refer to instructions online, or ask for help from adults.”
2. Where can I buy traditional toys?
Currently, toy stores and supermarkets sell pre-made sets of traditional toys. Or you can also find traditional folk toys in traditional handicraft villages.
3. How to make preschoolers interested in traditional toys?
Preschool Education Expert Nguyen Thi Thu Hang says: “To make preschoolers interested in traditional toys, it is necessary to create a comfortable and safe play environment and encourage children to freely create and explore.”
Conclusion
Traditional toys are an indispensable part of the development of preschoolers. Not only bringing joy, folk games also contribute to training skills, developing intelligence, and preserving the traditional cultural beauty of the nation. Let traditional games become meaningful spiritual gifts for the younger generation.
You can share your experiences with traditional toys for preschoolers by leaving a comment below. Let’s join hands to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of the nation!