1. Click Me!! © 2004, ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved. Contact ZERO TO THREE for all uses: www.zerotothree.org G o Play ! Promoting Your Childs Learning Through Play

2. © 2004, ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved. Contact ZERO TO THREE for all uses: www.zerotothree.org From birth, babies are eager to understand their world. Much of this learning happens through play as babies: –D–D–D–Develop physical skills by using their bodies to explore. –L–L–L–Learn how the world works by experimenting with different toys and objects. –E–E–E–Express feelings like surprise, delight, and frustration, and develop early communication skills. –C–C–C–Connect with you, building a strong relationship that nurtures their self-esteem and self-confidence. Play truly is the work of childhood. Click Me!!

3. © 2004, ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved. Contact ZERO TO THREE for all uses: www.zerotothree.org 3 Key Ideas About Play You are your childs favorite toy. You are your childs favorite toy. Each child is unique. Each child is unique. Following your childs lead will help him learn more through play. Following your childs lead will help him learn more through play. Click Me!!

4. © 2004, ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved. Contact ZERO TO THREE for all uses: www.zerotothree.org How does childrens play develop? There are 3 major stages of play from birth to 36 months. They progress from simple to more complex actions: 1.Exploring objects through the senseslike chewing on a rattle. 2.Playing with toys in the conventional waysuch as talking on a toy telephone. 3.Using symbols during pretend playusing a block as a phone. Click Me!!

5. © 2004, ZERO TO THREE. All rights reserved. Contact ZERO TO THREE for all uses: www.zerotothree.org To Learn More -- Visit the other resources in our Play Key Topic.Visit the other resources in our Play Key Topic. Visit School Readiness Interactive on our site to learn more about how children develop important new skills through everyday interactions with you and other loved ones.Visit School Readiness Interactive on our site to learn more about how children develop important new skills through everyday interactions with you and other loved ones. Click Me!!