I created this blog for one of my college classes ALL THE WAY BACK in 2010! One of our final projects was to come up with a way to "teach" something to the "community" and do it in a "creative" way. Not just writing a paper about it. So I decided to set up a Blog to teach parents about child development and fun ways to help their children learn. Well I did my post for the assignment and never did anything else with this blog. Pretty sure I got an A for it too. Anyhoo. I have been thinking lately that I should continue with this blog and try to use what little knowledge I have of Family & Child Development. So without further ado welcome to my new {old... remodeled} blog. I'm still not quite sure the direction I want to take this blog so bare with me as I experiment a little bit. And just get used to seeing A MILLION pictures of Henry. He is kind of the inspiration for this blog and he is super cute so who wouldn't want to see his face everyday. I'm also still trying to make the blog look aesthetically pleasing. It's a work in progress. Below is the original post I did for my class with a few updates {mainly the pictures and the information below the pictures}. Enjoy
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The point of this blog post is to help parents realize the importance that play has on their child's development. Play is essential for helping children reach important social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Play also offers an ideal time for parents to be involved with their child. A lot of parents are searching for ways to help their child's development and increase learning. There is something very simple that parents can do everyday that will help them accomplish this goal. Play. Let your children be children and just play. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination. Play is important for healthy brain development. It is through play that children learn early on how to interact with their world around them. It is important that play is child driven. When a child is in control of play, they are able to practice decision making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and engage in physical activity.
As I mentioned above, the structure of play is just as important as the play itself. Using toys that have a "purpose" do not allow children to use their imagination and develop their creativity fully. Today, play is focused on the toys themselves. If you think back to play before we had TVs and commercial advertisements, play was focused on the activity rather than the object. For most of human history we find that when children played they engaged in freewheeling, imaginative play. They were pirates, cops, robbers, princesses, and action heroes. They had control over the play. They made up their own rules and could play for hours like this.
During the second half of the 20th century, play has changed drastically. With all of the fancy toys out there, play has become specific and focused on what the toy does. Children do not need to use their imagination. It is decided for them how to play with the toy.
It turns out that all of that make-believe play was helping children develop a very important cognitive skill called self-regulation. Children with self-regulation are able to control their emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exert self-control and discipline. We find that children who are better able to manage their emotions and pay attention are able to learn more and do better in school.
If you have ever watched a child engaging in "make-believe" you notice they will often talk to themselves. This is called private speech. They talk to themselves about what they are doing and how they are going to do it. This private speech helps children later on in life to better control emotions and feelings. They can talk themselves through difficult or stressful situations.
It is so important these days for parents to let their children just be children. Sometimes we get caught up in so many activities that our children are just too busy to be children. There is a great book out there called Reclaiming Childhood by William Crain. He believes we are pushing children too hard to succeed and we are robbing them of their childhood experiences. I recommend reading this book. I found the information for this blog post from two different websites. If you would like to read further on the topic of play you can go here and here.
Because play is so important here is an easy recipe for Playdough. Playdough is a wonderful thing for children to play with and use their imaginations. Children as young as 18 months can really enjoy Playdough. Even adults can have fun with Playdough, and playing with your children will really help the parent-child relationship.
If you have ever watched a child engaging in "make-believe" you notice they will often talk to themselves. This is called private speech. They talk to themselves about what they are doing and how they are going to do it. This private speech helps children later on in life to better control emotions and feelings. They can talk themselves through difficult or stressful situations.
It is so important these days for parents to let their children just be children. Sometimes we get caught up in so many activities that our children are just too busy to be children. There is a great book out there called Reclaiming Childhood by William Crain. He believes we are pushing children too hard to succeed and we are robbing them of their childhood experiences. I recommend reading this book. I found the information for this blog post from two different websites. If you would like to read further on the topic of play you can go here and here.
Babies love to play by reading books. Give them stiff board books for practicing turning the pages and increasing their fine motor skills. Soft books are also fun and great for chewing! Books with flaps can also help with fine motor skills. Fine Motor skills help with "school readiness skills" like holding a pen or pencil and cutting with scissors.
The fun colorful wooden toys are Melissa & Doug I love all their toys! The cute Peek-a-boo Forest book is a Lamaze book. Henry loves his fun toys
Playing outside in the dirt, sand or grass can be very fun for a child. Let them get messy and use their imaginations. Henry decided to eat the leaf after this picture was taken!
Because play is so important here is an easy recipe for Playdough. Playdough is a wonderful thing for children to play with and use their imaginations. Children as young as 18 months can really enjoy Playdough. Even adults can have fun with Playdough, and playing with your children will really help the parent-child relationship.
Playdough
2 cups Flour
2 cups water
1 cup Salt
4 tsp. Cream of tarter
2 tbl. Oil
Combine all ingredients in a medium size pan and place over low heat until a ball forms. Remove from the heat and let cool. When cool enough to touch knead the dough until smooth. Store in an air tight container.
*tip: add the color with the water so it is smooth-- the best color is liquid water color sold at discount school supply.
