Small world play

What does "Small World Play" mean?

Small World Play is a play and learning activity for children where they create and explore a miniature world. It is a form of imaginative play where children create their own stories and scenarios using small figures, objects and materials.
At Small World Play, children use their imagination and creativity to recreate a specific environment or theme, such as a farm, a city, a beach, a space adventure or a fairytale forest. They can add different elements such as figures, animals, vehicles, landscapes and natural materials such as sand, water, stones and twigs.

The advantages

Small World Play offers several benefits for children's development.

1. Creativity and imagination
   Small World Play stimulates children's imagination and encourages them to come up with creative solutions and stories. They can create their own worlds, invent scenes and interactions, and explore new ideas.

2. Language development
   During Small World Play, children can improve their verbal communication and language skills. They can tell stories, imitate dialogues between the figures and expand their vocabulary and language comprehension.

3. Social skills
   When children play together in a Small World Play setting, they learn social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, sharing and communication. They can role-play and simulate situations that help them understand relationships and social dynamics.

4. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
   Handling small figures, moving objects and manipulating materials during Small World Play promotes the development of children's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

5. Sensory perception
   Children can experience different materials and textures during Small World Play, such as sand, water, stones and twigs. This helps stimulate their sensory perception and strengthens their sensory development.

6. Problem-solving way of thinking
   While exploring the play world, children are confronted with different situations and challenges. They are encouraged to come up with solutions, solve problems and understand cause-and-effect relationships.

7. Self-expression and self-confidence
   Small World Play offers children the opportunity to express themselves, share their ideas and tell their own stories. This contributes to their self-confidence and self-image.

How do you apply it?

1. Choose a theme
   Determine the theme of the game world. For example, it could be a farm, a city, a jungle, a dinosaur world or a fairytale land. It is best to choose a theme that matches your child's interests.

2. Gather materials
   Gather materials that match the chosen theme. These can be toy animals, figurines, vehicles, natural materials such as sand, stones, twigs, and other relevant items. Be creative and use what you have available.

3. Create the play space
   Choose a suitable play space, such as a table, a play box or a special play mat. Make sure the space is large enough to accommodate the materials and allow your child to play comfortably.

4. Build the game world
   Use the materials to build the play world. For example, place trees, houses, animals and other elements on the play space. Encourage your child to use his or her imagination and design the play world as they see fit.

5. Play and explore
   Let your child play freely in the play world. Encourage him/her to make up stories, create interactions between the different elements and let his or her imagination run wild. You can also ask questions to stimulate play, such as "What's happening in this city?" or "How would the animals in the jungle interact with each other?"

6. Reflect and learn
   After playing you can talk to the child about what happened in the play world. Ask for their thoughts, stories and ideas. This provides an opportunity to learn and reflect on themes such as collaboration, natural environments, social interaction and more.

Small World Play is a great way for children to develop their creativity, imagination, language skills and social skills. It also stimulates problem-solving thinking and promotes the overall development of children.