Without play children have difficulties forming healthy relationships, they won't learn to develop and function in the world without positive play experiences. Active children are happy children, they are better adjusted, more co-operative with their peers and more popular because of it.
Parents who actively encourage play and communicate with their children provide excellent opportunities for speech and language development, information sharing and use of imagination. Here are ten ways you can help your child to develop through play. This is not an exhaustive list, merely a starter for parents who are uncertain how to encourage their child to become involved in their environment.
1) Allow yourself time to play with your child. We all lead busy lives, so we need to recognise the importance of playing with our children.
2) Have a couple of "treasure boxes" for children to explore. Natural materials, pine cones, leaves,shells,a short chain, a wooden spoon, keys, simple household objects can allow exploration of colour and texture and the developing of hand eye co-ordination. A dressing up box for toddlers, with a variety of old clothes of different materials are good starting boxes.
3) Communicate effectively by using facial expressions, eye contact and a positive tone of voice.
4) Use music to encourage your child to dance and to move more in their play.
5) Encourage messy play using jelly, spaghetti, Playdoh and sand.
6) Provide opportunity for water play with different containers, hose pipes and moulds.
7) Even when the weather is inclement, pull on warm waterproof clothing and get out to the park or beach.
8) Read or look through books with your child and encourage them to tell a story or extend the story that they are familiar with.
9) Observe your child playing and comment appropriately, this will help them develop vocabulary.
10) Allow your inner child to have some fun too!
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Childrens sleep disorders, sleep difficulties and help to prevent or resolve them.
Posts
