Play Time Makes Learning Fun
Young children love to play, but they also enjoy the rewards associated with learning. From Head Start programs to the early grades, educators are able to channel learning through play. Play allows all children, especially toddlers, to experience success and strengthen self-confidence. Whose self-esteem does not improve with winning? Toddlers need to experience the thrill of victory – catching and throwing a ball while counting or reciting the alphabet, playing in the yard while being shown the blue hues of the sky, the green crispness of the grass, and the brilliant kaleidoscope of colors present in nature. Play does not have to be planned; since parents live such hectic lives, numerous adventures can occur in the car or on a plane, at the market or in the mall, at the post office or in the bank.
A quick game of “I spy with my brown eye…” can settle the most restless child in a long line. Silly sounds and nonsense words can entertain toddlers long enough to withstand rush hour traffic. Dancing or practicing snapping your fingers, winking your right and then your left eye can mesmerize a small child while working on motor skills. The National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families provides fun activities that support early learning from 0 to 36 months. The activities are divided into categories that include: Action-Oriented and Quiet Play, those that Build Thinking and Language Skills as well as the Senses. For instance, activities designed by Parlakian and Lerner for those 0-12 months that build language include:
Get Out Your Umbrella! Sing “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” to your grandbaby. At the end of the song, drop a handful or two of soft, colorful pompoms over her belly and chest. How does she like this sensation? If she looks interested—widening her eyes, smiling, kicking arms and legs, do it again. If your grandbaby cries, try it again another time. Babies’ preferences can change quickly. Singing to your grandbaby is a great way to build language skills. This game also encourages babies’ awareness of themselves as an individual, separate from you.
Picture Perfect: Snap photos of friends and family members in your grandbaby’s life. Glue each one to an index card and cover with clear contact paper. Show the photos to your little one and name each person. Over time, your grandbaby will begin to point, smile, and maybe reach for the people in the pictures. Activities like this help grow your grandbaby’s memory and develop her language skills.
Finger Plays: Sing songs with your grandchild that have hand motions that go along with the lyrics. For example, songs and rhymes like Patty Cake, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Wheels on the Bus, and Where Is Thumbkin all have hand and finger motions to do as you sing. When your grandchild is able to use his hands and fingers, he will start to copy your gestures and—before you know it—he will be singing along!
Hi! Bye! As your grandchild approaches 6 to 9 months, you can start to play peek-a-boo. Most babies really enjoy this game! When you pop out from behind a towel or your hand, say, “HI!” When you are about to disappear, wave and say, “BYE!” By putting words to your actions, over time your grandbaby will begin to understand their meaning. She might even start saying them herself! These and more activities can be found at http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/grandparents/play-with-me-fun.html.Additional Resources
Kids Health from Nemourshttp://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/toddler_play.html
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/child-development/how-support-children%E2%80%99s-approaches-learning-play-them
