Development and learning begin at birth. A child’s “work” is their daily play. It is important to encourage children to explore, discover and play. Here are some examples of play and what children can learn as they experience each activity. Remember to rotate materials often to keep your child engaged!
Blocks - When children stack and move blocks around, they explore the concepts of weight and size. Children learn problem solving when they make decisions about how to build, reconstruct or solve construction problems.
Art - Through art children can creatively express original ideas and feelings, improve their coordination, learn to recognize colors and textures, and gain a sense of pride in their accomplishments!
Music - Singing and moving to music gives the children a chance to hear and appreciate different kinds of music, express themselves through their movement, and practice new early literacy skills.
Dramatic/Pretend Play - Children who practice make-believe play, develop a diverse vocabulary, which can be helpful for reading and writing later. When children pretend, they often use real life experiences and use their imagination to re-create them.
Manipulatives - Puzzles, magnetic tiles, small construction items such as Legos, and various sized objects are all open-ended play manipulatives. When children use manipulative objects, they can explore how things work; get creative with their imaginations; strengthen and control the small muscles in their hands; work cooperatively and solve problems; and even learn early math ideas and concepts.
Books/Library – Books are a place where children can relax and enjoy the wonderful world of imagination through story telling. Reading introduces new ideas, helps children learn how to handle problems that may come up in life and encourages them to develop a love for books.
Clean-up Time – Although it’s not technically “play,” clean-up time develops early math skills by sorting toys into bins or onto shelves. Helping to keep play areas organized, enables children to follow directions and learn about responsibility of self and others. Cleaning up toys can even be fun when incorporated with songs, silliness, and dancing!
GROUP HIGHLIGHT:
Partners in Movement In-House Series begins June 15! Join other families ready to explore a child’s world while supporting ๏ฌtness, emotional well-being and building social interaction skills. Partners in Movement is offered in the Parenting Center at Forty Carrots. Registration is required. For more information and to register CLICK HERE
