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Child's Play is Anything But
Child developmental experts have studied
children at play for over a century. Their research shows that play is a
child's most important work, a way of learning, growing, and understanding
the world. A parent's involvement can make play a richer, stimulating, and
more valuable activity for children.
Here's how parents can make play more meaningful
Social skills
Play prepares children for adult life. It teaches the concepts of compromise
and problem solving. But many children today are too over-scheduled for
unstructured social time with playmates.
- Try to make sure that your child has at least one hour of playtime
everyday.
- Show an interest: Research reveals that children play for longer
periods when a parent is involved.
- Respect the game: Don't try to change the rules or the goals. This
lets your child know that play is important.
Expressing emotions
- Play is a safe outlet for feelings that can't be expressed in real
life. Many children use play to show feelings such as happiness or
frustration.
- Don't try to re-direct what might seem like dramatic or negative
play. Let your child work through strong emotions.
Building Imagination
Children develop imagination and creativity through play. They try on adult
roles and learn how to cope with the world.
- Help stretch your child's imagination by asking open-ended questions
like "What will we be eating at our tea party?"
- Keep a "pretend box" handy with a collection of props such as pots,
dishes, jewelry, and tools.
- Provide plenty of raw material for imaginative play. Crayons, clay,
paints, and other art supplies help children express creative ideas.
Physical Development
Through active play, children develop their large and fine motor skills and
hand-eye coordination. To a three-year old, painting a picture is a joyous,
messy, colorful adventure. To an expert, it's a combination of fine motor
development, hand-eye coordination and imaginative skills.
- Work a puzzle, play a board game, paint a picture-interactive games
are essential to child development.
- Build a house with blocks with your child. Children learn by watching
parents play too.
- Let them burn some of their endless energy (and build coordination and
confidence) on an outdoor climber or activity gym.
Play is the business of childhood. Children need play to develop the vital
skills they need to see them through life. Being in charge of a pretend universe
gives children a sense of control in a world in which so much is out of their
control. The stories, the characters, the worlds they create and inhabit,
encourage creativity and imagination.
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About the Author
This article reprinted with permission from our friends at the Official Little
Tikes site. Complete product line of over 200 quality children's toys including
kitchens, climbers, cars, trucks and more. Also design fun bedroom furniture
including beds. Request a free 32-page color catalog. For more tips and articles,
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