Young children are very curious, always trying to discover and investigate the world around them. With the help of their senses seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching they accomplish their tasks. Young children use play as a tool to explore the mysteries of the physical and social worlds. While playing they learn collaboration and conflict resolution with friends. Play helps children to improve their skills and abilities of language, social, physical, math, science, and thinking. This, in turn, promotes their self-esteem.
Playing with others is important
- Support your child to play by making your home a good place to play.
- Teach children the skills that are required to play well with others.
- Learning to play well with others is not a one-time lesson and it takes time and practice.
- When children play, they learn important life skills, which will help them make and keep friends.
When young children play with children of their age, they learn:
- To cooperate
- When to lead and when to follow
- Problem-solving
How to create play opportunities for your child?
Invite other children to your home or to play in the neighbourhood park
- The first visit can be kept short (about 1 hour) and is best to have just one other child.
- Plan to end the paid time before everyone gets too tired.
Go to another child’s home
· For the first visit, you should plan to stay until you know your child is comfortable being there without you.
· Try to get to know the other child’s parents as this might help both of you to help each other out!
Join an organised play group
- When playing without parents, it is better to have a group of a small number of children.
Find out with whom your child likes to play
- For children in child care, preschool, and playgroups, you can invite a friend to your house or the park.
Make your home a great place to play in case you are inviting children to your home
- Plan and avoid things that encourage aggressive play.
- Try to find out what your visitor enjoys by asking your child what activities the friend enjoys.
- Try having enough items for everyone. If there aren’t enough items available, suggest another activity.
- Remember to make your home a safe place.
- You can help the children with some activities.
- Keep an eye on children at all times.
References
- The importance of play in the preschool classroom[Internet]. Available at: https://children.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Importance-of-Play-article.pdf. Accessed on Oct 21, 2020.
- Young Children Learn A Lot When They Play[Internet]. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/fitness/Pages/Young-Children-Learn-A-Lot-When-They-Play.aspx#:~:text=Playing%20with%20others%20is%20important,to%20make%20and%20keep%20friends. Accessed on Aug 31, 2020.