The two primary occupations for a child are to play and learn. Children learn best through play as it provides them with a medium to explore their world and make sense of their surroundings. Children learn and grow through play; it promotes physical development (gross and fine motor skills, in hand manipulation skills, balance and sensory integration), cognitive development (logic and reasoning, visual/spatial skills, language skills), creative skills (aesthetic appreciation, creative expression, risk taking and initiative, flexibility and relaxation) and social and emotional development (interaction skills, autonomy and independence, positive self-esteem and self-expression).
Ways to engage a child in play
- choose an item that they are motivated to play with (e.g. a favourite toy) and use this as a starting point. You can begin by making a conversation about the toy e.g. the cat likes to sit on the grass and lick his fur...and see if the child will add to that.
- messy play is also another really good medium for children to learn about themselves and their world; allow your child to do some finger painting, get some sponges and do some painting with sponges or different materials such as old brushes and see what the child can create!
- allow the child to play outside as much as possible, climbing up ladders, through tunnels, as this will not only develop motor skills but also encourages sequencing skills.
- If a child is experiencing difficulty with imaginative play, play dress up and begin to create different characters and then stories with the child
- maintain a light and positive affect in your voice to keep the child interested and willing to continue playing
Lastly, remember that there is not much that you can do wrong by playing with your child as any interaction they have with other people and their environment is going to foster their development.
No comments:
Post a Comment