The Importance of Play

How do Children Work?

They PLAY!!!!

Children are working when they are playing because it is prompting their development

Later in the year we’ll discuss… • Physical • Intellectual • Emotional • Social • Moral

Physical

• Large motor skills, coordination, anything that burns energy.

• Examples?

• Art

• Block Building

• Books/Story

• Dramatic Play

• Mathematics

• Music

• Outdoor/large space

• Science

• Small Manipulative

Intellectual

• Teaches about environment, shapes, sizes, #’s, how objects fit together, math

• Examples?

• Art

• Block Building

• Books/Story

• Dramatic Play

• Mathematics

• Music

• Outdoor/large space

• Science

• Small Manipulative

Emotional

• Learn to love, self-esteem

• Examples?

• Art

• Block Building

• Books/Story

• Dramatic Play

• Mathematics

• Music

• Outdoor/large space

• Science

• Small Manipulative

Social

• Working with others, make and keep relationships, resolve conflicts

• Examples?

• Art

• Block Building

• Books/Story

• Dramatic Play

• Mathematics

• Music

• Outdoor/large space

• Science

• Small Manipulative

Moral

• Learn how your actions affect others

• Examples?

• Art

• Block Building

• Books/Story

• Dramatic Play

• Mathematics

• Music

• Outdoor/large space

• Science

• Small Manipulative

Active vs. Quiet Play

• Need a balance of both

• Helps them to adapt to situation as they grow

• Active- physical- need for large motor and release energy

• Quiet: engages mind-need for small motor

Promoting Play

• Infants: Sensory play- colors, shapes, patterns – Caution of small parts – Need attention for play

• Toddlers: Very active. Improved motor skills but not perfect – Puzzles, blocks, play dough – Attention span short, need change

• Preschoolers: like a variety of play – Better at small motor skills – Accomplishments grow so these need to be recognized to

up self esteem – Pretending helps express feelings and practice learned

behavior

Making the most out of PLAY

• Useful Techniques

– Distract troublesome activities by creating an interest in another

– Allow choices

– Participate

• Handling Competition

– Emphasize pleasure of play

– Explain outcomes can sometimes just be luck

• Reading Books

– Enhance verbal, emotional, and social needs

• Use Television Sensibly

– Demands very little participation

– Little interaction with others

– Some not appropriate

– Some educational

– Tips!

1. Watch with child

2. Select programs with care

3. Turn off if child begins to play with something else

4. Allow in moderation

Activity

• You are in charge of a 4 year old for an afternoon. Plan a schedule of activities for a 4 hour period-make sure to include active and quiet play. Explain what you THINK the purpose of this play is. What type of development MAY this promote?

• A NAP although important CAN NOT be included!

• You need to include at least 8 activities