The Benefits of Making Learning Enjoyable
I remember my dull school years as if it were yesterday. It was the most dreadful years of my life and way different to how children are being taught today.
I remember the structured lessons as clearly as I remembered the boy that sat on my left. Hy was constantly busy with something, as long as it wasn’t lesson oriented. The children in front of me, passing notes to each other and the girl on my right was time and again busy decorating her table with graffiti. Her weapon of choice was none other than the sharp end of a compass. The only interaction we had from the teacher was her, shushing us over her shoulder. Her voice reminded me of a heart flatlining, due to her dull and expressionless voice.
I know I sound a little melodramatic…. Okay, maybe a lot, but that was and still is my honest school years memories.
Luckily times have changed and teachers have realised that interacting with students and fun classroom activities are the way to go. It’s a win-win situation.
Let's face it, we remember and boast about good times and good experiences all the time. Why should it be different for our students? As a matter of fact, some children spend more time at school, studying than anywhere else, and the way we teach and interact with our students has an everlasting effect on them. This will guide them through University and other important aspects of their lives.
Children are driven and motivated through playful activities. So why not use this to our advantage.
Learning through play has numerous benefits for students:
Enhanced Engagement:
When learning is fun and playful, students are more likely to stay focused and actively participate in the lesson. This engagement helps them retain information better because they are actively involved in the learning process.
Improved Memory Retention:
Activities that incorporate play often stimulate multiple senses and cognitive functions, making it easier for students to remember what they've learned. This is because they are not just passively receiving information but are actively processing and applying it.
Prevents Boredom:
Traditional teaching methods can sometimes become monotonous, leading to boredom and disengagement. Playful learning introduces variety and novelty, keeping students interested and motivated to learn.
Playful activities often involve teamwork, discussion, and interaction, which encourages shy or reluctant students to participate more actively. This can help build confidence and social skills alongside academic knowledge.
Fosters Healthy Competition:
Healthy competition in games and activities can motivate students to strive for improvement and excel. It teaches them valuable lessons in sportsmanship, perseverance, and goal-setting.
Overall, incorporating play into lessons not only makes learning enjoyable but also enhances educational outcomes by promoting deeper engagement, better retention of information, and a positive classroom atmosphere
By Janice Bekker