EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
Health: Birth to 5
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Create building blocks for learning There is an expression, “Play is a child’s work.” And it’s true. If you want your child to be ready for kindergarten, make sure he gets plenty of time to play now. In fact, play is the most important thing your child can do. Through play, she learns the basic ideas and concepts that are the building blocks for all learning. Play teaches creativity, imagination, a sense of self, and how to handle emotions and make friends. There are three types of play important for each child: 1 Solitary play is when your child plays by himself and concentrates on an activity that is important to him and his development. 2 Play with adults helps a child learn new skills from someone who knows more than she does. She can ask questions, hear new words, and use materials that she may not have access to when an adult is not present. Adults can also take advantage of “teachable moments,” those times when a child is naturally curious about something (like a spider’s web) and most excited to learn about it. 3 Play with children helps a young child develop the social skills that he needs throughout his life. This kind of play teaches your child to share, work with others, and communicate without adult support. Your child has great opportunities to learn when he can play with other children, whether through family events, play dates, play groups or preschool. Next time your baby or young child is absorbed in play, watch and ask, “What is she learning?” You will see that she is practicing certain skills over and over until she has mastered them. Your baby loves to experiment with cause and effect. He will shake a toy to hear the sound, or drop toys from his crib or highchair to watch them fall. He is learning how things happen. This foundation will help him in school to conduct science experiments, play sports, and eventually even drive a car. Your toddler is also interested in cause and effect, but her play becomes more complex and often involves using objects together to create a reaction. She will fill a container with several objects and dump it out, just to repeat the process again. She also loves to pretend in simple ways with play telephones, food and dolls. She is learning that objects serve a purpose and is practicing new skills. This behavior strengthens perseverance, a trait she will need in school and life. Your preschooler will constantly challenge himself to notice details and learn new skills. As parents, you might think you must “teach” things like cutting or drawing. But if you provide your child with tools (like child’s scissors) and appealing materials (like pictures he is interested in), he will teach himself, through practice, how to cut. You can also support his learning by talking to him about things he sees in his environment, like letters, numbers and colors.m For information about Orange County resources and services for young children and families, call Info Link Orange County toll free 888.600.4357 or 211. The Children and Families Commission of Orange County was formed in September 1999 to allocate Orange County’s funds from the Proposition 10 ballot initiative, which added a 50-cent sales tax on tobacco products sold in the state. The commission’s mission statement focuses on three platforms: Bridges for Newborns, Family Resources, and School Readiness. The commission sponsors and supports programs to meet the greatest needs of the youngest children of Orange County. The following is part of our initiative to bring you the commission’s “Help Me Grow” program. |
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