Summer is here and the warm weather is allowing you and your children to get out of the house. It’s the perfect time to learn about how important play is to language development for children of all ages!
Through play children CAN:
J Learn how to learn
J Gain world knowledge
J Enhance problem-solving
J Improve concentration
J Learn to handle frustration
J Foster independence
J Improve self-esteem
J Have healthy brain development
J Develop creativity and curiosity
J Develop language
J Learn appropriate social interaction
Where should play occur?
™ On the floor
™ For infants – on their tummy
™ Outside
Outside play is important because:
ð Exposure to sun and nature improves immune system and helps bone development.
ð Outdoor elements capture attention and stimulate imagination.
ð Being outdoors promotes development of vocabulary about nature.
ð Gross motor activity provides good sensory input, which makes the brain ready for learning.
ð Risky play (jumping in a puddle, swinging higher) develops persistence and problem-solving.
ð Free play with natural elements promotes learning through trial and error.
ð The open landscape allows children to explore aspects of their personality that is limited by the indoors.
ð Outside play allows children to be both teachers and learners.
Some barriers to healthy play are:
* Technology use
* Overscheduled kids
* Play that is adult-directed
* Too much time indoors
* No play partners (adult and/or peers)
Some great toys for outside play could be be:
* Rocks
* Sticks
* Mud
* Puddles
* Leaves
For more information and links to research:
Þ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2444866416301234
Þ https://cid.edu/2018/07/09/not-just-childs-play-the-relationship-between-play-and-language/