Child Development Through Play

What is my role as the adult in play? The adult provides children with the support, props, time, and space to develop their play. This role involves many dimensions such as when to intervene and when to stand back. The adult takes time to observe, consult, plan, and participate in play. He/she is clear on the great potential for learning that play offers (developing skills and abilities, providing opportunities to co-operate, developing friendships, taking turns, resolving conflicts and solving problems, and developing knowledge and understanding of the world). The adult understands the importance of play for all children. In order to make the most of the opportunities that play provides the adult needs to plan for, support and review play What is the role of my child in play?

Children learn about the world around them through exploration and play. The role of play in child development is important for the development gross motor, fine motor and social skills. Play can be as simple as imitating the sounds that your infant makes, or it can be more involved, such as putting puzzles together, stacking blocks and imitating complex block patterns. Play activities such as these are great for motor and perceptual development, and they are also wonderful for social skill development. Parents and caregivers need to have a basic understanding of developmental milestones in childhood. This knowledge will be helpful when encouraging your child come up with ideas for play. Here is a brief early developmental milestone chart of skills that influence play. Please keep in mind that all children develop at their own individual rates, so the ages for acquiring these milestones may vary from child to child.

Milestone Chart

Begins to show interest in and curiosity about the environment – 4 to 6 months Object permanence emerging/pointing to pictures and objects- 10 months to 1 year Imitation and solitary play skills- 1 year to 15 months Parallel play and symbolic play- 2 years Interactive play and taking turns- 2 ½ to 3 year How do I help children who find it difficult to play? Children’s play develops over time and is enhanced when given the right kinds of supports. While all children have the potential to play some may require extra support from the adult in order to benefit from playing. For example, children who are impulsive or get into many conflicts, children who are withdrawn or isolated, children whose first language is neither English nor Irish, children who have speech delays, and children with sensory or physical impairments often need specialised and focused support from the adult.

Gauging the level of support needed for a group of children is not easy. Through assessment the adult builds a picture of each child’s learning and plans activities based on this. The adult focuses on what each child can do and what may be impacting on his/her play, and then modifies the environment to help the child play. Some children need a little longer to make a choice, to solve a problem, or to remember where things are kept. They may not know how to start an activity, or when they start doing something they may need longer to practice. This is fine; one of the benefits of play is its flexibility and it can be adapted to suit each individual child. In helping all children to play, the adult might

■ change the physical or social environment, for example alter the play materials so that all children can manipulate them or use a bell to help children with a visual impairment to know that an activity is going to change

■ reflect on the quality and quantity of multi-sensory experiences that are available to children and increase or change them

■ use co-operative learning to ensure that each child reaches his/her potential, for example have a buddy or mentor system

■ simplify an activity by breaking it into smaller parts and limiting the number of directions given at one time

■ use the child’s preferred activity, material or person to encourage him/her to play, for example the Key Worker might introduce new things

■ provide extra support by joining in the child’s play or by modelling something several times

■ use special or adaptive devices to help children participate

■ have photographs of activities for children who can not use oral language, or have simple jigsaws with large sturdy pieces for children who find it hard to grasp things. The adult provides the level and type of support needed to promote independence and to make play achievable and enjoyable for all children.

Conclusion Play can be fun, challenging and enjoyable for both adults and children. By helping children to take part in different types of play on their own and with others, and by providing a well-resourced play environment inside and outside, adults can greatly enrich the learning opportunities that play provides.

#educational #pediatrics #childdevelopment #childdevelopmentthroughplaying