CreativePlay Plus: Ideas in Play and Child Development

By the ages of two and three, children’s play becomes symbolic in nature.  Symbolic play skills often take the form of “sociodrama.” It is at this time that parents might notice the elaborate scripts emerging in their children’s play (i.e., feeding the baby, going to the doctor, playing house).   Sociodramatic play involves complex play abilities where children are interacting with their world and developing expectations for the world. Children use sociodramatic play to elaborate and explore daily scenarios. Sociodramatic play provides your child with a sense of control over their environment.

For example, if your child begins to play doctor, this instance of sociodramatic play enables children to better understand the role of a doctor and patient and most importantly conquer any anxiety they may be experiencing in what can often be seen as a stressful experience. Practicing or rehearsing the sequence of events experienced on a typical visit to the doctor helps children feel more comfortable in this scenario and learn effective coping strategies (i.e., distraction) for managing excessive wait times and the dreaded booster shot.

How can you foster coping skills through symbolic play?

Children play in all sorts of ways. You may have noticed your toddler playing alongside other children yet appearing to focus on their own play and rarely interacting with others. This kind of play is often referred to as “parallel play.” Parallel play is when two or more children are playing in the same space, however not with each other. Although children are not cooperatively playing with peers, parallel play gives children an opportunity to play alone while having the added benefit of observing and imitating another child while learning something new. Moreover, children are able to practice what they are learning until they feel they have mastered the challenge. This can give children a sense of pride, “I did it all by myself!” which is important in developing the confidence necessary to motivate them to take on future challenges. Parallel play also helps children learn to be okay with being by them selves and manage their boredom.

As children age, they tend to incorporate their peers and adults more and more into their play experiences. However, parents should not be concerned if their older child appears to prefer to play in this way from time to time. Children at any age have preferences for how they play, and often children will mix things up by playing with and without peers. These stylistic differences in children’s play are not unlike how some adults like to work alongside co-workers and compare notes as they work independently, while others enjoy collaborating in teams.

What are some things you’ve noticed while your child is playing?

Around 18-months of age children start to incorporate pretending into their play. Prior to this, children tend to examine objects and their properties and play with them as they were intended. Pretend play is when children engage in make-believe activities where they create new symbolic relationships. For example, your child may use a broom to represent a horse or an old wrapping paper tube as a sword. Children around this age are also practicing their imitation and memory skills. For example, your child may imitate someone shaving their face by picking up a rectangular block, placing it against their cheek, and with quick up and down motions loudly exclaiming “buzz, buzz.” This imitation skill is important in helping children develop their memory abilities. Additionally, imitation skills allow children to explore their world in unique, creative ways which allows for innovative possibilities in the realm of play.

What creative uses has your child found for household objects and toys?

The National Institute for Early Education Research has developed a list for parents to guide them through the process of choosing a preschool. Some of the questions they suggest:

• Can I make an appointment to visit your program and spend time in a classroom?
• Is there a curriculum and how well do teachers implement it?
• How much are your teachers paid?
• How large are the classes and what are the staff-child ratios?

Under the curriculum section they say “Play with teachers involved should be a big part of the day.”

We agree!

We encourage you to visit their site for the full list as well as a detailed explanation of the questions to ask. Link via the Child Development Media Blog

The American Academy of Pediatrics, a professional body for paediatricians, recommends no exposure to TV and computer screens for children under two. A recent study published found that even when children are not paying attention to the television they are distracted from playing. TV in the Background Effects Children’s Play

Does your child have regular exposure to TV? Do you think there are some benefits in TV exposure?

Other play news:

Seattle revamping local plagrounds with swings accessible to children with physical disablities

Making the most out of play with children 0-3 years-of-age

Sending the kids off to summer camp

As children grow and develop, their play changes and matures. As infants gain awareness about themselves and other people, their play begins to change to accommodate their new way of thinking. For example, around four to six-months of age, infants start enjoying more turn taking games that involve another person like pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. Late in infancy, children begin to play on their own. This is termed “solitary play” and can be characterized by an infant’s fascination with examining objects and exploring their properties. Children at this age are also becoming more goal-driven. You may have noticed your child reaching and grasping for objects to handle. Infants bang on pots, pop bubbles, and kick or hit balls in an active, yet private fashion as they learn more about the properties and functions of objects in their environment.  As infants develop, so do their interests and abilities to participate in more complex activities and games.

What have you noticed your baby does to explore their environment? How do you help encourage your infant to play?

Spending a long time in the car with kids? Make it fun:

Despite the high price of gas, many American families will be taking roadtrips this summer.

Some parents dread this extended “car time” and use electronic entertainment to ward off children’s boredom.

Yet, many experts caution that nonstop use of electronic media reduces valuable time that can be better used to foster relationships and stimulate learning, particularly in the first six years.

In her book, “Everyday Creative Play,” Lisa R. Church suggests a few ways to engage kids on car trips that help them learn, teach them life skills and engage them with other family members.

Her list includes:

• Tell a story: Someone starts out with the first line of a story and each person adds a line. This can be silly or scary (or not) and can last as long as the trip or as short as to the next rest stop.
• Count cars: This game has many varieties. Look for and count cars by make, color or any other category you decide. You can also count dogs, cows, churches, nests on power poles, etc.
• Measurement games: Which is bigger, an elephant or a hippo? Whose house is farthest away, Grammy’s or Uncle Paul’s? Talk about all the things we use measurement for and why.

What sort of games do play in the car with your kids (or grandkids)?

Bradenton.com | 07/07/2008 | Car trips can foster learning, fun

With children playing competitve team sports earlier in childhood, injuries mostly seen in adults are becoming more common among children.

These injuries are not easily treated in children because their bodies are growing and undergo a tremendous amount of change into adulthood.

Dr. Mininder Kocher, an orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts has some easy advice to avoid injuries: “Try old-fashioned play, like jumping rope, playing hopscotch, climbing trees. High school teams now are trained to avoid ACL tears with core-body conditioning and tips on bending knees for jumping — things younger kids can learn on their own just by having fun.”

What were your favorite ”old-fashioned” play activities you enjoyed as a child?

Young Athletes Face Grown-Up Injuries-CNN.com

Researchers are using new technology to understand the bond between mothers and infants:

Everyone knows nothing melts a mother’s heart like a baby’s smile.

But Houston researchers have found that it also activates a region of the brain known as the reward center, a middle area associated with feelings of euphoria…

“This could be described as a natural high,” said Dr. Lane Strathearn, a pediatrics professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital and the research’s lead investigator. “Mothers just had to look at their baby’s smiling face, and blood flow in the region picked up…”

How do you make your baby smile?

Houston researchers: Baby’s smile gives mom ‘natural high’ | Houston Chronicle

Popular playground games like “Simon Says,” “Mother May I,” and “Red Light, Green Light” are more than just a way to pass the time and act silly. They expose children to a number of invaluable life lessons that are essential for your child’s development. When playing these games, children are challenged and rewarded for paying attention, following directions and controlling their impulses.

In addition to learning to control their behavior, children are also demonstrating problem solving strategies such as generating and experimenting with new ideas for winning the game. For example, a child playing “Mother May I” may try asking “Mother May I do 5 ballerina turns?” rather than “8 baby steps” to advance in the game. They also may have learned to slow down and be able to stop moving quickly if the caller in “Red Light, Green Light” has not shouted “Red light!” for a long time.

These games also require children to think creatively to keep the game fun and exciting. Imagine if during an entire game of “Simon Says” the caller only yelled out “Simon says pat your head,” most children would grow bored rather quickly. These games give children an opportunity to be creative and come up with new ideas to keep themselves entertained.

These classic playground games are a great way for your child to practice skills necessary for their development while playing! Moreover, these games can be played virtually anywhere and by children and adults of all ages, making them a convenient and enjoyable way to play as a family.

What are some of the games you and your children like to play together?