THE NATURE OF PLAY
In play, children expand their understanding of themselves and others, their knowledge of the physical world, and their ability to communicate with peers and adults.
We can differentiate different kinds of play:
SENSORIMOTOR PLAY
Babies and toddlers experiment with bodily sensation and motor movements, and with objects and people. An infant will push a ball and make it roll in order to experience the sensation and pleasure of movement. Older infants will push a ball, crawl after it, and retrieve it.
PRETEND PLAY
As children develop the ability to represent experience symbolically, pretend play becomes a prominent activity. In this complex type of play, children carry out action plans, take on roles, and transform objects as they express their ideas and feelings about the social world.
GAMES WITH RULES
Children become interested in formal games with peers by age five or younger. Older children's more logical and socialized ways of thinking make it possible for them to play games together. Games with rules are the most prominent form of play during middle childhood
THE ADULT ROLE IN CHILDREN'S PLAY
* Value children's play and talk to children about their play. Adults often say "I like the way you're working," but rarely, "I like the way you're playing."
* Play with children when it is appropriate, especially during the early years. If adults pay attention to and engage in children's play, children get the message that play is valuable.
* Create a playful atmosphere. It is important for adults to provide materials which children can explore and adapt in play.
* When play appears to be stuck or unproductive, offer a new prop, suggest new roles, or provide new experiences, such as a field trip.
* Intervene to ensure safe play. Even in older children's play, social conflicts often occur when children try to negotiate. Adults can help when children cannot solve these conflicts by themselves.
At PLAY, we encourage all children to play. We also understand play as a way to communicate for children and even if it sometimes can be alone, it’s a way to build relationships with their parents. Most of the games and activities we as parents find more interesting they sometimes don’t see the fun or value until we start playing with them and teach them why we think it’s interesting. Children have role models, and most of the times these role models are their parents, if we want them to play, we should also play.
We want to recommend a great book of seasonal activities to do with your children. It’s a very inspiring book that will help you have fun, learn and build relationships with your children.
http://www.louisapenfold.com/the-nature-of-play/
Please leave a comment below and let us know what do you like to play with your children.
Source: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education Urbana IL.