• Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Meet Sarah
  • Playful Days
  • Shop Resources
  • Search

How Wee Learn

Out of the box learning ideas, playful art, exploring nature, and simple living - that is How We Learn!

  • Quiet Time
  • Letters and Numbers
  • Art
  • Science
  • Get Outside
  • Shop

Benefits of Small World Play

December 30, 2013 by Sarah 4 Comments

When I posted about Toy Truck Games, I mentioned that Sammy turned it into his own ‘Small World’ in a way.  I decided to take that idea and run with it! This parking lot small world was a bigger hit then I had imagined!

parking lot small world play

In a nut shell, small world play involves creating a scene or environment for your wee one to play with.  The benefits of small world play are numerous! 

Here are 5 benefits of small world play that I view as very important:

  1. Increasing Imagination and Creativity
  2. Language Development – specifically beginning to play with ‘voice’ (taking on different characters) and beginning story-telling skills
  3. Problem Solving Skills – working through issues between characters, or working out problems within the scene itself
  4. Learning Cause and Effect – since your wee one has complete control over this little world he or she begins to see what happens when certain actions are taken
  5. Developing Independent Play Skills

Parking Lot small world play

Now our parking lot small world play may seem like an odd choice.  But my Sammy really enjoyed this aspect of the truck games we did, and there was actually a lot of math involved, so I thought it was a great choice.

To create this small world I used

  • Painters tape
  • foot stool
  • piece of wood for a ramp
  • clothes pins (as people)
  • cars and trucks (with tape on the top, folded to attach clothes pin people)
  • Trees made of pipe cleaners and clothespins (inspiration from this post from Play-Trains)

Parking Lot small world playparking lot small world play

I set up this small world thinking carefully about how Sammy likes to play.  I really wanted to get as many benefits of small world play out of this activity as possible.  Right now: he is busy, developing fine  motor skills, and likes to use characters and voice while he plays.

Because of this, I wanted to make sure Sammy had room to move around.  Different levels I thought would be ideal (and simple) by adding a footstool and a ramp.  I also wanted him to use characters, but I wanted to ensure he used his imagination to make those characters whatever he chose.  So I used clothes pins – which also help with fine motor skills.  The cloths pins did wind up being passengers.

parking lot small world play

Sammy loved his small world and played with it for close to one hour straight.  He decided he needed more cars, and also more parking spots.  This activity became an excellent visual-spatial activity as he wanted to move the tape around to make a parking spot big enough for every car to fit in – very snugly.

parking lot small world play

parking lot small world play

Parking lot small world play

The passengers took turns parking cars, giving friends a ride to pet the fuzzy trees, and discussing how to make things happen.

This Parking Lot Small World Play was a very big success.  Sammy loved it and had so much fun.  He was very creative and imaginative and also stretched his thinking and understanding of how things can fit together.  He practiced problem solving and taking on different character’s voices.  And he pet fuzzy trees.

Please consider following us on Pinterest so we can share more creative learning activities with you and your wee ones!  Thank you!

 

 

Filed Under: Activities for Preschoolers, Activities for Toddlers, Numeracy, Quiet Time, Toddler, Toddlers

« Pipecleaner Happy New Year Crown!
Alphabet Games for Preschoolers: The Letter Monster! »

Comments

  1. Mildred Noftle says

    September 25, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Amazing Creative for sure… So nice to read all the goings on with Sammy the first thing in the morning while having my coffee.

    Reply
  2. Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says

    January 1, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    This looks like such a fun small world. I LOVE that it encompassed different levels! What an excellent way to a little one engaged.

    Reply
  3. Rachel says

    January 4, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Love the small world play idea and my son did too. He loved something new to interact with and create with mum. Thanks! Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 6, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      So glad you gave it a try with your son Rachel! And you are absolutely right — it is the simplest ideas that are the best!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 512 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, spreadsheet, interactive, other. Drop file here

Visit my Sponsor Oak Meadow

Follow How Wee Learn

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
For every step of your journey
  • For Ages 3-5
  • For Ages 4-6
  • For Ages 6-8
  • For Ages 6-12
  • For All Ages

Shop Resources


Copyright © 2023 · How Wee Learn · Privacy Policy · designed by blogger boutique · Genesis Framework

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
51 shares
  • 3