The Power Of Play!
What is “play”? When defined as a noun, the word play means an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children. When it is defined as a verb, it means to engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation, rather than serious or practical purposes. The ECI model uses play strategies to help children learn and grow in all areas of development. Why is play so important? Play enhances language development, creativity, imagination, critical thinking, fine and gross motor skills, and teaches children to persevere and control emotions. Play is a child’s “work”. It is how children test their ideas and new skills. Play assists children in learning to communicate and fosters social skills. Children are a work in progress as they grow into functional adults and play is big part of this process. Encouraging your child’s play is one of the most important ways to nurture their development and it begins on day one. Did you know that there is nothing in the world that your child would rather do than play with YOU? As your child is learning to play, they are also playing to learn. Different types of play include:
*ACTIVE – physical, outdoors, sports
*MAKE BELIEVE – dolls, roll play, scenes
*MANIPULATIVE – construction, puzzles, patterns
*CREATIVE – music, art, audio/visual
*LEARNING – books, games, skills
