Taking the pressure off – the science behind fun, creative learning for kids
When it comes to our kids’ health and development, play is more than just a way to have fun. Research shows that people learn best from joyful, actively engaging and socially interactive experiences1. Code Ninjas, the kids coding specialist, believes that superior learning goes hand-in-hand with positive and enjoyable experiences that avoid the pressure many kids struggle with in the early stages of their development. Here, Grant Smith, Vice President of Education, explains how the power of learning through play can take the pressure off kids today and set them up for a brighter and healthier tomorrow.
All parents want what is best for their kids, which often leads to overwhelming expectations. Whatever our motives, the pressure we put on our kids can have adverse effects during the earliest stages of their cognitive development. The pressure to do well from parents, school, teachers, society or themselves has been shown to increase stress and anxiety in children, leading to poorer physical, social, and emotional health2. Instead of focusing on good grades, we should focus on the importance of them learning new things within a subject that they enjoy. As Mr. Rogers once said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
Play is more powerful for kids than many parents realise – children should be encouraged to have fun and be creative, as this has shown to be the key to learning. But don’t just take my word for it. Celebrated neurologist Judy Willis, who published an entire study on the benefits of letting children learn through play, explored this concept and concluded that superior learning takes place when educational experiences are enjoyable and relevant to a child’s interests. Learning should be fun, and games can promote learning – it’s a two-way street.
These enjoyable learning experiences, paired with an environment where there is no pressure from parents, teachers or peers to impress, will only increase their feeling of happiness over time and will be something they will likely want to transfer to adult life. At Code Ninjas, we believe in the power of a fun learning environment that purposefully allows children to feel relaxed during their coding education, avoiding any pressure on them to succeed or setting expectations on what they will want to do with that skill in the future. Those motivated to learn via play are more likely to grow up with a desire to recreate that feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction in their adult life. Let kids be kids and allow the rest to follow organically.
When we encourage children rather than test them, we teach them to evaluate themselves on their own merits. Kids have enough responsibilities at school with endless tests, goals, and achievements that are set to scrutinise their knowledge and learning development. Instead, if children are equipped with the confidence to believe in their abilities – rather than testing them – they will one day grow into adults interested in exploring the more creative roles available to them in the field of digital technology.
The Code Ninjas team has been working hard to show children the possibilities of coding and tap into their potential that they may not have realised due to the stigma surrounding screen time. We believe that the age of pressuring children to stay off their screens is far behind us and that there is a huge need for a generation that understands technology and how it works. By encouraging a child in a relaxed environment, stripped of any pressure to succeed, and left to their own devices to develop a skill that they love, its needless to say that they will grow into an adult who is eager to explore the many creative avenues within our technologically advanced world.