For me PlayAbility™ has four components: Children, adults, toys and the play environment. Young children inherently 'know' how to play when given the time, materials, space and freedom to play. Dr Lawrence J Cohen said: "The single most important skill that parents can acquire is playing." To facilitate that this year, along with PlayAbility™, I’ll be adding more PLAY-based learning activities parents, grandparents and/or caregivers can use with the kidlets. To help them become more confident … [Read more...]
Growing Up Made Easier with PLAY
I was driving around my neighborhood recently. As it happened, it was while school was letting out. Stopping at a crosswalk for kids to go across, I thought: WHEN did it happen that adults had to be in charge of school crossings? I remember how proud I was being part of the school patrol—entrusted with the responsibility for the safety of fellow students. We didn’t have sidewalks; we weren’t always within viewing of the school; and some of the streets we covered were main arterials. And yet, … [Read more...]
Sticks and Stones: Play for Resilience
Remember the nursery rhyme: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” WHAT has happened to that sentiment? Before going on, I want to emphatically state that YES, words can hurt, and hurt deeply, especially when it’s within the context of demeaning, belittling, or hateful words spewing from a loved one. So let me emphasize, I expect parents to talk to their children with kindness, compassion and/or respect. They should speak that way even if they are disappointed, … [Read more...]
PLAY: Making the Men We NEED
Play is an essential component of childhood. It could even be considered a basic survival need much like shelter, food and touch. Of the many, many benefits play imparts, one of the most far-reaching and long-lasting effects could be in the preparation of future fathers. Children learn by doing; and often, what they do, is what they see. A lot of what they see is a parent or caregiver tending to a younger sibling or baby. Children incorporate this into their pretend play. Pretend play offers … [Read more...]
Grandparents Day
The 2nd Sunday of September honors grandparents with their own ‘Grandparents Day.’ I've always thought being grandparent means you’ve reached the pinnacle of life! A handful of generations ago it wasn’t uncommon for grandparents to being living under the same roof with their grandchildren, but that isn’t the typical American family unit now. Make no mistake though, the grandparent-grandchild relationship is very important. GRANDPARENTS ARE IMPORTANT Grandparents: 1. Share family and … [Read more...]
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