The other day, we spent some time talking about two of the world’s smallest animals – the bumblebee bat and the bee hummingbird. We discussed the larger varieties of both species as well, and how a hummingbird can hover unlike other birds, and how a bat has extraordinary sensing powers. We covered the topic pretty thoroughly, and then moved on. I thought the kids might retain some of the information, maybe just in time to appear on an episode of Jeopardy! down the road, but my six-year-old surprised me.
He went and found the kitty cat ears he’d been given for Christmas and put them on his head, and then he wrapped his green blanket around his shoulders for wings. “I’m the bumblebee bat,” he proclaimed. “I’m the smallest kind of bat. I’m only an inch or two tall.” He then ran around the house, soaring with his blanket wings, and using his echo location skills to avoid hitting walls. I was impressed with his ability to parley school into his creative play.
It makes sense, though – children like to imitate things they see around them and recreate their favorite television shows and video games in their imagination. It’s natural that they would take information they gleaned from school and make up games about it as well.
And the facts about the bat definitely stuck in his memory. When his grandmother came over that afternoon, he proudly recited everything he’d learned.
Children can initiate creative play about their school subjects, and I bet parents can also be a little more playful as they introduce new animals, facts, and concepts. We learn best while we’re having fun, after all. Why not pull out more costume pieces and dress the whole family up as bats or hummingbirds or famous historical figures? Act out the things you are learning, and watch the information retention increase dramatically (no pun intended).
Related Blogs:
The Importance of Imaginary Play for Preschoolers