Play is children's natural language and one of the most important tools they use to explore the world around them and develop their motor, social, and mental skills. As play styles have evolved over time, an important debate has emerged between traditional play and interactive play, as to which is more effective for developing children's skills.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of traditional play and interactive play, highlighting the benefits of each, and how to combine them for the benefit of a child's development.
At Active Child Store, we bring back the joy of real play to children, away from screens, through games inspired by traditional play that develop movement, imagination, and creativity.
The concept of traditional play and interactive play:
Play is considered one of the fundamental pillars of a child's development, as it is a natural means of learning and interacting with the environment around them. With the advancement of technology, two basic concepts have emerged in the world of play: traditional play and interactive play, each with its own characteristics and developmental goals.
Traditional play:
It's a type of play that relies on simple or even no tools and involves direct interaction between the child and their environment or peers, without relying on modern technology. This play is characterized by creative freedom and an open imagination, allowing children the opportunity to express themselves and develop their motor and social skills. Examples of this play include movement games, group games, and games that rely on creativity, such as building and drawing.
Interactive play:
Interactive play relies on technology or advanced educational tools, such as digital games, smart devices, or augmented reality applications, that respond directly to the child's interaction. This type of play combines education and entertainment, allowing children to enter virtual learning environments that adapt to their skill level and needs.
The main differences between traditional and interactive play:
- Technology-based : Interactive play relies on technology, while traditional play relies on simple tools and realistic interaction.
- Type of skills developed : Traditional play focuses on motor and social skills, while interactive play enhances mental and technical skills.
- Educational Experience : Interactive play provides integrated learning environments, while traditional play relies on self-creation and direct interaction.
Types of interactive play and examples:
Interactive play has become one of the most prominent methods transforming the concept of learning and entertainment for children in the modern era. It combines fun and educational elements using technology, creating a rich environment that encourages children to explore, learn, and interact in innovative ways. Perhaps what distinguishes interactive play is that it is not limited to being a means of entertainment only; it is also considered a powerful tool for developing children's skills in various areas: intellectual, social, motor, and even emotional.
1- Educational digital games:
Educational digital games represent the most common type of interactive play. These games rely on software and applications that operate on smart devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or computers. They are designed in an engaging style that combines education and fun, providing children with educational content that aligns with their developmental stages and interests.
Educational objectives of digital games:
- Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Develop language skills through interactive content based on reading and writing.
- Developing scientific and mathematical knowledge through games that simulate scientific or mathematical experiments.
These games create a fun learning environment that motivates children to learn without academic pressure, making learning a meaningful experience and a positive attachment for the child. Despite the benefits of these games, it's important to note that they should not be the primary source of play, but rather be combined with other types of play to ensure comprehensive and balanced development.
2- Augmented reality and virtual reality:
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are among the most advanced and exciting forms of interactive play. These technologies provide 3D environments that children can interact with, making learning more realistic and immersive.
How Augmented and Virtual Reality Work in Education:
- Creates learning experiences that simulate real life in a safe way.
- Encourages self-learning and experimentation, which builds self-confidence.
- It allows the child to explore places and concepts that are not easily accessible in real life.
Psychological and mental benefits include improved attention and concentration for longer periods, enhanced analytical skills through simulation and direct interaction, and the encouragement of creative thinking by creating multidimensional learning environments. However, caution should be exercised against excessive use of augmented and virtual reality technologies, as this may diminish a child's ability to engage in realistic social interaction and engage in physical activity.
3- Interactive group games:
Interactive group play combines the benefits of interactive play and social interaction, and includes games that rely on cooperation between children, whether through digital platforms or activities that rely on smart devices.
The importance of these games:
- Enhance communication and teamwork skills.
- Stimulate social interaction even in a digital environment.
- Develop collaborative problem-solving skills through group challenges.
These games help children learn how to negotiate, make decisions, and collaborate to solve common goals, which are important skills in everyday life and the future.
4- Interactive musical games:
Interactive musical toys represent a unique form of interactive play, combining music with movement and interaction, creating a unique sensory learning experience.
Benefits of interactive music games:
- Enhancing artistic creativity and self-expression.
- Supporting mental development by combining sensory and musical learning.
- Improve motor coordination by interacting with sounds and rhythms.
Musical toys help children improve concentration skills, reduce stress, and foster a sense of accomplishment by producing their own musical pieces.
Benefits of traditional play in developing skills:
Traditional play is an essential experience in a child's life, reflecting the natural way children learn about the world around them. It differs from interactive play in that it relies on direct interaction with the environment and others, without relying on technology or digital devices. This type of play offers comprehensive educational benefits, as it contributes to the development of a child's physical, social, mental, and emotional skills, making it essential to the developmental process.
1. Enhancing motor skills: Play often requires active physical movement, such as running, jumping, climbing, or playing with simple tools like ropes or balls. These activities not only entertain children, but also help them develop a range of motor skills that are the foundation for their physical development.
- Motor coordination : Through this play, the child learns how to organize his body movements so that they are consistent with a specific goal, such as throwing a ball accurately or jumping on firm feet.
- Physical strength : Regular physical activity promotes muscle growth and improves endurance.
- Physical Control : Traditional motor play helps a child understand the limits of their body and develop control over their movements.
2. Enhancing social skills: Traditional play is often group play, which allows the child to interact directly with his peers and acquire important social skills.
- Cooperation and teamwork : Children learn how to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal, such as winning a group game or building something together.
- Developing communication skills : The child learns how to express his ideas and negotiate with others to reach an agreement.
- Conflict Management : Through group play, children encounter situations that require resolving problems and conflicts amicably.
3. Developing creative and imaginative abilities: It gives the child the opportunity to develop his imagination and creativity, as it leaves him ample space to create his own rules for playing and use the resources available around him in innovative ways.
- Innovative thinking : The child learns how to transform simple materials into toys, such as using empty boxes or wooden pieces to make new toys.
- Problem solving : While playing, a child may encounter challenges that require thinking and finding alternative solutions.
- Independence in thinking : Traditional play encourages the child to make decisions without direct interference from adults.
4. Developing emotional skills: It represents an important emotional experience, as it gives the child space to express and experience his feelings in a safe environment.
- Boosting self-confidence : The feeling of success in completing a game or a certain challenge boosts a child's self-esteem.
- Emotional expression : Play allows a child to express feelings such as joy, excitement, or even frustration in a healthy way.
- Empathy and understanding others : Interacting with peers enhances a child's ability to understand the feelings of others and help them.
5. Developing organized thinking and problem-solving: Traditional play exposes children to situations that require thinking and organization, such as planning to play a specific role or facing physical and cognitive challenges.
- Planning skills : The child learns how to make a plan to achieve a specific goal while playing.
- Decision-making skills : The child faces situations that require choosing the best way to achieve the desired outcome.
- Critical thinking : By trying different solutions, the child learns to evaluate the outcomes and choose the best one.
How interactive play contributes to brain development:
Interactive play is a powerful tool for developing a child's brain, as it combines movement, thinking, and social interaction in a stimulating environment. By combining direct interaction with fun challenges, this type of play can enhance a child's holistic mental, motor, and emotional development.
1- Stimulating nerve growth:
Interactive play significantly contributes to promoting "neuroplasticity"—the brain's ability to form new connections between neurons. This means that during interactive play, a child builds new brain pathways that support thinking and learning.
2- Enhancing creative thinking and problem solving:
Interactive play puts children in situations that require them to think in new ways, which stimulates creative thinking.
3- Developing social and emotional skills:
Interactive play often takes place in group or interactive settings, which enhances a child's social and emotional development.
4- Developing motor and mental abilities together:
Interactive play combines movement and thinking, promoting the development of both fine and gross motor skills.
Examples of this
- Games that require hand-eye coordination improve fine motor skills.
- Activities that require whole-body movement enhance gross motor skills such as balance and strength.
- The brain benefits from this interaction because movement and thinking work together to improve mental and physical performance.
5- Strengthening organized thinking skills:
Interactive play teaches children how to think in an organized way to solve problems and challenges they face. This happens through:
- The child learns to evaluate options and choose the best solution.
- Develops the ability to plan and organize steps to achieve the goal.
- Acquires critical thinking skills and analysis of results.
When is it better to use traditional play?
Traditional play is an essential part of a child's development, providing a unique learning experience unmatched by other forms of play. The appropriate time to use it depends on the child's age, physical needs, mental abilities, and the purpose of the activity.
1- In the early stages of growth:
It is best used extensively during the early childhood years, especially from the ages of two to five, as this stage is considered a critical stage for developing basic skills.
- Provides a safe environment for learning through movement and free play.
- Traditional play helps children explore the world around them naturally.
- Enhances the ability to develop basic motor skills such as walking, running, climbing, and jumping.
2- When there is a need to enhance social skills:
Traditional play often takes place in groups, making it an effective way to foster social interaction. This is preferable in the following situations:
- When a child needs to learn the skills of cooperation and working within a team.
- In situations that require sharing with others and respecting rules.
- To enhance non-verbal communication skills such as body language and emotional expression.
3- In cases of enhancing creativity and imagination:
It is less structured and more free, giving children space to use their imagination. Its importance lies in:
- Helps kids think outside the box.
- Provides an environment to develop problem-solving skills in innovative ways.
- Promotes self-expression through free play and imaginative stories.
How to combine traditional and interactive play at home:
Integrating traditional play (physical, creative, imaginative) with interactive play (digital, technological) at home is key to creating a comprehensive and stimulating learning environment for children. The goal is not to ban screens, but rather to use them as a tool that supports and enhances hands-on and social activities.
1- Integrating manual creativity with virtual reality (Augmented Reality):
Turn your child's drawings into part of their digital game.
- Method: Have the child draw a character, monster, or building on paper (traditional play). Use augmented reality (AR) apps that allow the drawing to be scanned and converted into a 3D model that moves on the screen or appears around the room via a camera (interactive play).
- Added value: Strengthens fine motor skills and creativity, and links manual effort with immediate digital results, increasing the child's motivation to draw.
2- Using devices as a research tool in role-playing games:
Make the screen part of the role-play rather than a replacement for it.
- Method: If your child is playing doctor, use a tablet to look for pictures of body parts or to hear heart sounds (interactive play). If they are playing explorer, use Google Maps or an app to show them pictures of distant places they discover (traditional play).
- Added value: Enhances imaginative play and problem-solving skills and turns the screen into an information-gathering tool rather than just a passive entertainment medium.
3- Linking cubes and combinations to digital challenges:
Use construction and design applications as inspiration for physical implementation.
- Method: Watch a video or app with your child that shows instructions for building a complex structure using bricks (such as Lego). Then, have them build the structure using actual bricks available at home (traditional play).
- Added value: Develops engineering skills and spatial thinking and transforms digital content from an end into a means to achieve a tangible material goal.
Tips for parents and teachers to improve toy selection:
To ensure that play is productive and effective in supporting a child's holistic development, emphasis must be placed on a balance between different types of play and providing a stimulating environment.
- Focus on the quality of play, not its duration. Choose open-ended play.
- Combine cognitive and motor challenges. Choose motor games that require planning or remembering rules (such as building a complex obstacle course).
- Social interaction screening: Make sure some play activities provide the opportunity for direct interaction with peers or adults (such as role-playing games or traditional board games).
- Provide a supportive and stimulating environment. Diversify the play environment. Change the play area frequently. Encourage play outdoors, in a different room at home, or in a new park.
- Narrow down your options (rotate games). Don't display all of your games at once. Store a few and rotate them weekly or monthly.
- Provide calculated risk-taking. Encourage your child to participate in supervised activities that require a moderate amount of physical challenge (such as safe climbing or jumping from low heights).
- Be a facilitator, not a manager. When joining in play, follow the child's lead. Don't give directions or new rules unless the child asks you to.
- Use open-ended questions. Instead of giving commands, ask thought-provoking questions: What would happen if? or Why did you decide to build this part here?
- Set aside screen-free time each day for active play and non-digital family interactions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it's clear that both traditional and interactive play are important for a child's skill development and brain development. Play promotes movement and physical skills, while interactive play develops thinking, imagination, and social interaction. Combining the two provides a child with a well-rounded experience that develops their body, mind, and emotions.
Choosing toys carefully, understanding a child's needs, scheduling playtime, and involving the child in the choices makes play an effective tool for learning and growth. Thus, play transforms from mere entertainment into a solid foundation for building a child's future with confidence and competence.