The Power of Play

 

Play can be serious business when it comes to a child’s health and development.  Research shows that play can improve many of your child’s abilities and even help them cope with stress. 

Unfortunately, the amount of play time children receive has been declining over the past several decades.  Experts attribute this decline to the fact that more parents are working outside of the home, there are fewer safe places to play and the amount of screen time continues to rise.  In fact, the average preschooler watches 4.5 hours of television each day!  While it is okay to have a small amount of screen time for learning and entertainment, this amount far exceeds the recommendations.



Let’s take a look at some age appropriate ideas for making playtime fun while enriching your child’s brain, body, and life.

 

Birth to 6 Months

 It is truly important to start developmental play during this time to give your child a head start to reaching their beginning milestones.

 

  • Start with baby's first smile.  Respond with your own smile to teach critical social-emotional skills.
  • Have a back-and-forth conversation with your baby by imitating their coos and giggles.
  • Share bright toys with your baby including things they can squeeze with their hands and/or stick in their mouth.
  • It is important to incorporate tummy time into each day so their muscles can develop and become strong.
  • Make sure your baby is on the move and exploring his/her world in and around your home by wearing a wrap or baby pack to take them along with you.

 

tummy time

 

7 to 12 Months

  • Let your baby see his/her facial expressions in a mirror.
  • Play peek-a-boo and patty-cake.
  • Teach cause and effect by letting your baby drop toys on the ground.
  • Have safe places for your baby to practice crawling skills.  Get down on the ground with them for play time and conversation.

 

1 to 3 years

  • If your child will be at daycare, preschool, or a babysitter’s home, make sure they include structured playtime with a focus on learning and satisfying your child’s normal curiosity.
  • Be creative!  Supply your child with books, puzzles, empty containers, wooden spoons, coffee cans, and blocks.  They will come up with fun and unique ways to use objects you have around the house.
  • Make sure your child is exposed to peers.  
  • Take time for reading to and with your child everyday.  Encourage your child to participate in what’s going on in the story by asking questions as you go.
  • Help your child explore dance, jumping, hopping, and other movements to show them exercise can be fun.
  • Teach your child nursery rhymes and songs with movements to go along with them.
  • Introduce age appropriate games like Simon Says, follow the leader, hide and seek.  Encourage make-believe play.

 

4 to 6 years

  • Organize play dates with friends at a park, playground, or each other’s homes.  Learn who your childrens' friends' parents are and don’t ever send them somewhere you are not familiar with.
  • Give your child time and space to play when they return home from school or pre-school.  Some children need this time to unwind and it is important for them to learn to play alone at times. 
  • Let them help you with easy chores around the house.
  • This can be a good age to start an organized sport such as T-ball or soccer if your child shows interest.
  • Continue to limit and monitor screen time.  During your child’s time on digital media watch and play with them.  Make sure you are up-to-date on what games and any other kind of media they are being introduced to.

kickball

Remember that your child needs all types of play including pretending, outdoor time, toy play, and physical play.  Your child needs to be using all of their senses to build strong healthy bodies and brain function.  It also reminds your child how much you love and care for them when you take the time to play with them and help them discover the world we live in.  If you or someone you know would like more information on how to create healthy play time for your child, please contact the PLC Health Clinic and our staff and volunteers can help. Contact us at 419-238-9177 or https://www.plchealthclinic.org/.

 

Sources available upon request

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