Draw the following chart, use the top half of the page Benefits of Play Draw the following chart, use the top half of the page Physical Cognitive Social Emotional

What Are The Benefits Of Play? Class Discussion

Physical Benefits Learn Balance Gain Strength Develop Large & Small Muscle Groups

Cognitive Benefits Learn to sort & stack items Develop memorization Develop Language skills

Social Benefits Learn to get along (sharing, etc.) Develop cooperation & leadership skills Learn to make friends

Emotional Benefits Learn to work through challenges Learn to control emotions Develop problem solving skills

Draw the following chart, use the bottom half of the page Types of Play Draw the following chart, use the bottom half of the page Solitary Examples: Parallel Associative Cooperative

Types of Play As children grow, they progress though 4 stages of play: Solitary Parallel Associative Cooperative

Solitary Play First Stage Up to 18 months Plays alone with no attempts to play with others Caregivers should provide toys infant can easily handle alone

Parallel Play Second Stage, by about 18 months Children are playing side by side rather than actually playing with each other Some observe each other while others pay no attention to those nearby More interested in toys then other kids

Associative Play Begin participating in games or activities together Most reach this stage by 3 or 4 years Increased interest in those around the same age Often sharing toys

Cooperative Play Often most seen in middle childhood (5 years +) Children actually PLAYING with each other (Red Rover, Tug of War) As kids grow, they work together to compete against another team

Examples of Toys 45 For Various Age Groups

Birth – One Year Rattles Mobiles Musical Toys Large, Soft Beads & Blocks Appropriate Stuffed Animals

One – Two Years Pull Toys Pails & Balls Plastic Toys Wheeled Toys Touch & Feel Books

Two – Five Years Push Toys, Blocks & Wagons Large Crayons Dolls Cars & Trucks Modeling Clay

Three – Six Years Paints Chalk Trains Markers Construction Blocks Safety Scissors

Six – Nine Years Dollhouses Race Cars Board Games Paper Dolls Video Games Sports

Personality Patterns Often immerge through play and become observable There are 3 patterns (Sensitive, Placid & Aggressive)

Sensitive Child Likes to be alone Is not very adventurous Tends to be dominated by other children

Placid Child Takes things as they are Is a peace-maker Takes guidance well Gets along with most children

Aggressive Child Energetic & noisy Very active (physical play) May throw temper tantrums (bite or kick)