Let’s Play Presented by Avalon Nixon Qualia Occupational Therapy for Children 15th March 2017

Come Play With Me The long forgotten art for adults To scholars, child’s play is not a simple task. It is an elusive concept that is difficult to define. Game: write 2 activities that were favourite play tasks or games when you were a child. Next write 2 activities that you consider play. What do they have in common?

When Does Play Start?

Expected Development 1 year Communicates with you Eats finger food Is close to walking 2 years Communicates using words Uses a fork Can use a scooter 3 years Plays with friends Can feed self Can dress self 4 years Can write letters Opens snack containers Dresses independently

Expected Development of Play 1 year Telephone Game 2 years Feeding Dolly or Teddy 3 years Rescuing something 4 years Playing house and home

What Does Play Look Like? Motivation engaged, intensity, persists, affect Perception of control decides, safe, modifies, interacts with objects, negotiates, shares, initiates Freedom from constraints of reality mischief, teasing, pretends, clowns, jokes, creativity Cue reading and giving What Does Play Look Like?

How To Be A Player Figure out what your child likes (watch, wait and wonder) Figure our how your child communicates (cry, move, gesture, reach, take your hand, refusing, look at things, point, look at the thing then look back at you, sounds, words, sentences) Give your child (and yourself) a reason to play with you

Move It Out Of Reach Tip One

Use People Toys Tip Two

Drag it out Tip Three

Take Turns Tip Four

Be on Your Child’s Level Tip Five

Be Silly Tip Six

Follow Their Lead Tip Seven

Have a Just Right Challenge Tip Eight

Promoting Play & Development Fine & Gross Motor Skills Cognitive & Pre-academic Social Developing from the middle - out Tummy time Mobility and positioning supports Park trips and play centres Toys Bring on the books Using a curriculum to help your child’s knowledge Curiosity Practice iPad and other technology Importance of non-verbal skills Social anxieties Demonstrate social skills Be a great social peer

Where Does iPad or Other Technology Fit? iPads and other tablets TV Benefits Limitations Screen time per day

School Readiness Literacy & Numeracy Social skills Functional Independent skills Self regulation Emotional readiness Choosing the right school for your child School Readiness

Prom oting Play Play, play, play Play doesn't have to be a scheduled task It can be hard to learn to play – it doesn’t matter if your play doesn’t go to plan Have fun! Prom oting Play

Play http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/why_play_is_important.html https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/sites/default/files/public/KMECC2-201205_03_play-feels-good.pdf Development http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/ https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/series/the-development-of-play-skills-from-birth-to-3 Promoting Developent http://qualiatherapy.com.au/all-i-want-for-christmas-is/ https://au.pinterest.com/qualiaoccupatio/?eq=qualia&etslf=NaN http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/motivate-school-success/10-ways-to-motivate- your-child-to-learn http://pbskids.org/daniel/