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A child's job is play. It is through play that children
learn many of life's skills. Kids playing house are preparing
for adult roles. Although they seem to be just playing,
they are really doing serious "work". Even very
young children learn a variety of skills through participating
in normal activities. You can help by asking your child
to help you - just for fun.
Look at what is involved in baking cookies. First your
child learns to make decisions by helping you decide what
kind of cookies to make. Following the recipe and measuring
ingredients helps your child practice reading and math skills
and following directions.
Live, active play is an important part of learning coordination
and balance. Running, jumping and other energetic activities
are healthy ways for your child to release stress and tension.
And they're fun!
Quiet play is as important as the active kind. Working
puzzles, playing games and working with art supplies are
important to a child, as is telling or reading stories.
Liz, a mother of two, says she has played with each of her
children in a way that lets them share things that may be
troubling them.
Liz says, "I get them started making up stories about
other children or animals. Before long, they're putting
the central character of their story into a personal situation.
If I have an idea of what may be worrying them, I lead a
bit, but I've had some surprises!"
The first stress your child faces is separation from you.
The stronger the bond between mother and child, the more
stressful this is. As parents, you can reduce this trauma
by easing gradually into longer and longer periods of separation.
The game "peek-a-boo" or "peep-eye"
is a beginning. You're baby learns you'll reappear after
an instance of absence. Leaving your child with a grandparent
or other baby sitter is the next step. Older children playing
hide and seek continue learning to become independent.
--Author Unknown
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