Thursday, December 07, 2006
The importance of play...
From Minnesota's very own Mayo Clinic is an article about the importance of play time for children. According to a 2006 study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics, unsturctured playtime is important to foster a child's development.
How does playtime affect a child's academic readiness?
Playtime sets the stage for academic success by helping children learn how to learn. Placing too much emphasis on specific tasks or rigorous programs at the cost of regular opportunities to play misses the point. In the early years, a child's social and developmental skills can be more important than the specific knowledge he or she masters.
Does it make sense to schedule playtime?
It's important to make playtime a regular part of your child's day, both for the learning opportunities and the break from more intense activities. Sometimes it helps to schedule that unstructured time. But don't be too rigid about it. Focus on giving your child the chance to dream up an activity or invite a friend to play — not on enforcing free play for specific amounts of time every day.
How can parents promote imaginative play?
You can help your child make the most of playtime.
- Read to your child. Reading introduces your child to new thoughts and new ideas. Soon, your child's imagination will take over.
- Keep it simple. Find toys — or everyday objects — that let your child's imagination soar. A helicopter with all the bells and whistles can be only one thing. But building blocks or empty boxes can be a house, a spaceship or anything else your child imagines.
- Let your child set the pace. Encourage your child to choose an activity or explore something of interest. Provide appropriate supervision, but don't lead or correct.
- Invite a friend. Start with one-on-one play dates. Include more friends as your child gets older. Let the kids decide what to play.
Can passive activities, such as watching TV or playing video games, be a healthy part of a child's playtime?
It's important to limit your child's screen time. But as long as you're comfortable with what your child is watching or playing, some degree of unstructured time can certainly include TV or video games. You can even use TV as a tool or a springboard for discussions about choices, consequences and responsibility.
Read the entire article...
