If you’ve been following PLAY & GROW for very long, you know one thing for sure about me. I’m more than passionate, closer to obsessed about, providing play-based activities so children PLAY! And why? The reason is twofold. First, PLAY is instrumental for children to gain the knowledge, skills, concepts and capabilities that they need now. Second PLAY lays this important knowledge/skills foundation from which children build upon for use in the future. The basic developmental domains in … [Read more...]
Video Games Day–Making the Case for PLAY
I was kind of left with my mouth on the floor when I found out what day it was...Video Games Day?!! Really? We need a day to encourage and celebrate playing video games? (sigh) How about trying for a NO-Video Games Day? Now that would be something out of the ordinary!! I'm not going to say video games don't have a place or don't have any beneficial aspects (read 6 Scientific Benefits) but they are inappropriate for young children. Young children need PLAY! Consider PLAY as one of the … [Read more...]
PLAY for Language Development–3 Tips for Parents
When something’s referred to as ‘child’s play’ it usually is signifying something done easily; an insignificant or trivial matter. In fact, actual child’s play is no trivial matter and has major significance in all areas of child development—and specifically, language development. Being a parent you are your child’s 1st, and most important teacher. You can support your kiddo’s language development, naturally, in three ways: reading to your child, singing together, and encouraging pretend … [Read more...]
Playdates & Sharing
FRIENDS are for SHARING Sharing? Well sure in the long-run. Children are social creatures. They like to be around other kids, especially in the preschool years. Witnessing a couple (or more) 4-5 year-olds playing can be a beautiful thing. There’s a lot of discussion, negotiation, compromise and sharing necessary in and amongst the imagination, creativity and inventiveness. Parents of toddlers want to give them chances to socialize with other children too. But it’s important to have the … [Read more...]