The Importance of Play
Excepts from www.zerotothree.org
1. What is Play?
Play is the “work of children.” Play offers children an opportunity to explore, and therefore, to learn. Any range of activities can be play, and any play can offer multiple opportunities to learn and practice new skills. Just as a child grows, these skills build–one on top of the other–a foundation for the tasks we do in school and as grown-ups. Let’s take a look at some sandbox play, for instance:
Look at me! I am learning so much neat stuff like scooping and poring, new colors, shapes, and sizes, and what empty and full means. You listen so patiently to me as I babble or try to say new words like ’sand’ and ‘bucket.’ Maybe we can pretend we’re in a castle. I may not understand it at first, but I’ll have fun with you and try to imitate what you do. All this will really help me when I go to school one day and learn big kid things about math, science, and reading.
Next time you are playing with a baby or toddler, notice all the neat things to learn with that particular activity. It might be practicing muscle-movements, such as reaching for a rattle, or learning about its shape and feel, by putting her mouth on it. Maybe it’s learning how something can act as a symbol by using a toy block for a play telephone, or understanding how to relate to friends by playing a game. So many play activities offer opportunities for exploring the senses (vision, hearing, taste, and touch) and skill development, such as muscle, thinking, language, and social skills. It’s all fun, so kids don’t even realize how hard they’re working!
2. Adults and Play
As a parent or nanny, you are your child’s favorite playmate. From the very beginning of a child’s life, he is engaging in play with you, whether following your face as you move it slowly from one side of his to the other, or listening to your voice as you sing to him during his diaper change. He is at work, learning and exploring.
You are my favorite person to look at and listen to, and I love it when you are silly with me. I have a lot of fun toys to play with, but they don’t compare to you! It’s fun to watch you do something and then try to do it myself, and I’m not afraid to try something new, because you let me make mistakes and it’s ok. I may get a little fussy when I get frustrated or have had too much, but you always know when to help me change activities…you sure know me pretty well!
So what can you do as a parent or nanny to make the most of a child’s playtime?
- Follow your child’s lead. Provide an object, toy, or activity for your baby or toddler and then see what he does with it. It’s okay if it is not the “right” way…let him show you a “new way.”
- Help slowly. It’s great to model a new skill, but control the urge to “do it for him.” You can begin something, such as picking up a block and putting it on another, and then allow him to try. Providing just enough help to keep frustration from setting in encourages him to learn a new skill.
. Watch for signals. Your little one may not be able to tell you when he’s had enough or when he’s frustrated. Reading the signals that proceed an outburst can be helpful to let you know when to help out or change to a new activity. Young children do best with shorter, more frequent playtimes.
. Look at the environment. Are there distractions such as glaring light or too much noise? Is the area safe to explore? Is this a good place for the type of play that might take place, such as running, throwing, or making a mess? Checking it out beforehand can prevent a tantrum, an accident, or a broken lamp. Don’t forget that some of the best play environments can be during your everyday routines, such as bath times and bedtimes.
3. “One More Time!”
Maya the nanny, is eager to play with her two-year-old charge, Marty. “What should we do?” Maya asks. Marty promptly brings to Maya the farm animal puzzle they did together at least 10 times the day before. Maya, squelching her heavy sigh says, “Okay, now where in the world does that silly zebra go?” and Marty, puffing up his chest with pride says “Right here!”
While this desire to do things over and over again is not necessarily thrilling for adults, it is for their young children. They are practicing in order to master a challenge. And when they can do it “All by myself!” they are rewarded with a powerful sense of their own competency, a feeling they like to recreate as often as possible. The more they practice and master new skills, the more likely they are to take on new challenges and the learning continues. So when you’re tempted to hide that toy that you don’t think you can stand playing with yet one more time, remember the essential role repetition plays in your child’s development
4. Language, Reading, and Play
Play provides a fun opportunity to practice new language skills. Five-month old Ryan likes to blow raspberries and laugh at the sound, while 2-year old Nathalie enjoys explaining the “rules” of the game. For babies and toddlers, play is a time for fun, learning, and lots of communication. In addition, sharing books can be a wonderful part of play times and can help foster language and literacy skills. Even babies can practice new skills from playing with books. As they turn, mouth, and look at the book and pages, they learn what books are like. As they grow, their play with books may evolve to pointing to pictures in a playful game of “Where’s the doggy? Where’s the cow?” Soon, they may want to “read” a bedtime story to you by mimicking your voice and what they remember of the story you have read to them so many times. Older toddlers may enjoy pretending to be a character in a favorite story as they play “dress up.” Play thatinvolves books fosters a love of reading in the years to come.
- Let children pick the books they want to play with or read.
- Allow babies to explore safe books (such as those of cloth or cardboard).
- Play a game about the story or book or pretend to “act out” the story.
- Find books in the local library on things your child might think are fun, such as exploring outside, cars, animals, or cooking.
- Use books to help explain hard situation that might come up during play times, such as sharing and taking turns. Children can often relate better to characters in books.
- Enjoy a quiet play time of reading together.
5. Make Believe
“Mommy, you eat this soup,” two-and-a-half year old Tara says to her mother as she hands her a sugar bowl from a toy tea set. “Mmmm.this soup is very good. What kind is it?” says mom. Tara smiles and takes back the bowl. “Noodle Soup,” she says, proud of her ‘cooking.’
In later toddler years, make-believe is a fun discovery. As young children begin to understand that objects and even people can represent other things, their imagination takes off, and a whole new world of play is open to them that will get more interesting and complex as the next few years go by. “Pretend Play” is not only fun to watch and participate in, it is an important part in the development of thinking skills that later help with math, literacy, and creativity.
- Join her “story” and follow your child’s lead. Ask questions instead of giving directions; for example, “Who does tiger live with?” Offer help, but be sure to allow her time to experiment and be creative.
- Provide props and objects to use for pretend and make believe. Every day objects, such as a pot,container, hat, or box, can go a long way. “Real” objects such as old clothes or an empty oatmeal box can also be a special treat.
- Use everyday activities to pretend together. Chores such as cleaning and cooking can provide fun opportunities to imitate and use new skills.
- Invite another little friend over to play. Watch how pretend play develops as two or more young minds get together.
