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