Play is the work of the child. They’re driven to explore, discover, and experiment. It is how they learn and grow. According to the book, From Play to Practice, meaningful play must:
Be fun and enjoyable
Have no set goals
Be spontaneous and voluntary
Involve active engagement
Involve an element of make-believe
As you sit down to play with your children, think about these things…
Watch and listen. Take time to observe how your child is playing, delighting in their discoveries, noticing their interests, and understanding their motives and intentions. You may be surprised by what you see.
Narrate what you’re seeing and give specific feedback. Instead of a simple “good job,” you can offer phrases that describe their process, pinpoint what you liked about their play, or acknowledge their effort.
Extend their play. Offer other materials, model play yourself, or ask open ended questions to introduce new skills, insight, or possibilities.
Play alongside them. They watch us constantly and delight in your discoveries too. You’re sharing with them the value of lifelong learning and fun!
For more information on the benefits of play, check out this article. And for examples of play in the infant and toddler stages, click below…