How Tactile Play Can Boost Children's Focus And Foster Learning

Let’s go back a couple of years to January 2020. Life was status quo – way before terms like new-normal, hybrid, remote-working and learning punctuate our every conversation. As working adults, the chance of having one or more days when you can work off your couch in your jammies is definitely attractive. One would think that when home-learning became a thing, children would rejoice. But we have heard different. A 2020 article in the New York Times, which interviewed children from kindergarten to 12th grade (the equivalent of Junior College here), reported that majority of them missed school, their friends, and teachers and wished things would get back to normal soon. Similar sentiments have been shared on our shores.

Does that mean hybrid learning is ineffective or are there ways that we can make it more efficient? The flexibility that such kind of learning offers is undeniable – it eliminates the fatigue that comes from having to shuffle between long classes for one, and there is more of a focused learning approach and initiates time management skills.

The question to ask here or rather the topic of discussion should be whether complete digitisation—read no more print—is the way forward for education, especially when it involves very young children.

The power of tactile stimulation
"In an increasingly digitised world, the benefits of print have been compromised," says Fiona Lee, Managing Director of HP (Hewlett Packard) Singapore, referring to the tactile experience of holding a book, patiently reading it and using one's imagination to conjure up scenarios. It is therefore key for parents to focus on well-rounded development for their children. Lee believes that hands-on learning enriches the learning experience for children and helps parents explore new avenues to make learning effective.

“Tactile learning through print matters more than ever when learning in a hybrid environment. Children between the ages of 3 to 5 years typically develop print awareness, which influences the development of their reading, writing and creative thinking skills. Tactile experiences through reading and playing with paper accelerate reading and language skills, as print helps children navigate long bodies of text in an intuitive and fluid way,” she adds.

As much as we yearn for the soothing smell and touch and feel of paper, we cannot ignore that the world around us is moving at breakneck speed towards technology and the growing need to keep pace.

Digital activities, unlike print, tend to compromise on interpersonal interactions. Lee recommends that parents focus on learning tools that drive learner engagement.

Bonding through education and play
HP's recently launched INKmaginary Toys urges such interactive experiences with an intelligent use of print technology. In a combination of HP Instant Ink and HP Printables, INKmaginary utilises printed paper and toy bricks, which enables parents and children to experiment and bond over imaginative storytelling. A total of 15 INKmaginary Toys designs take on an interactive and hands-on approach to both education and play.

Play

"Parents and kids can find a rich repository of curated content that inspire them to learn, create and have fun. There are many educational activities that we developed with convenience and accessibility in mind—such as multiplication tables with flowers, paper planes, colouring templates, and many more—all of which only require a printer and paper," explains Lee.

As a parent herself, Lee sees the value of such interactions. "As a working parent, I remember how challenging it was at times to just be fully present with my children," shares Lee. "It was particularly wonderful when we bonded over activities that the young ones enjoyed. There were a lot of fun interactions, teaching and learning moments that no doubt strengthened our family unit."

Nurturing creativity with print
The concept of INKmaginary Toys is a collaborative effort with local artist Jeffrey Kong—famously known as the toy brick artist. It is, as Kong describes it, "a  reimagined learning and playtime experience for parents and kids, combining the best of both the print medium and toy bricks". 

Boasting a range of designs—from a hedgehog and peacock to a pinwheel—INKmaginary Toys help keep families engaged for hours in selecting, printing, cutting, punching, and building the toys. "These simple activities with accessible materials help children to bond with their parents, their creativity and construction skills are also strengthened and developed," says Kong, who counts the peacock as one of his favourites.

"Research shows how activities utilising printed materials help children retain knowledge and stay focused for longer. Combined with other media such as toy bricks, paper fires the senses and tactile learning is elevated," he explains.

As an artist, Kong exercises his creativity in finding innovative ways to inspire learning. "For parents today, the hybrid world today is a constant juggling act", and such concepts are ways to keep "children meaningfully entertained and create opportunities for creativity at home", he adds.

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