1. Play is important to children… (American Academy of Pediatrics) BenefitsRepercussion Use their creativity Develops imagination Physical strength Cognitive strength Healthy brain development Social skills Confidence Resiliency Conflict resolution Leadership Group skills No outlet for energy Reduced cognitive skills Reduced social skills Reduced group skills No outlet for creativity Having a limited understanding of their world and environment Little joy

2. The importance of play… It’s important to your stress level and your happiness quotient that you have at least one activity that you do regularly just for fun. Hobbies and other fun activities provide a fun way to sharpen skills, express your creativity, or just blow off steam. Also, when you get really engrossed in an activity you enjoy, you can experience a state of being know as flow, in which your brain is in a near-meditative state, which has benefits for your body and mind.

3. Dramatic Play

7. The daily life of a four year old child Create an environment of activities for learning Adults should join in simple board games and card games. The focus is on the play and not the competition. Provide puzzles with five to twenty pieces. Offer various kinds of simple scientific and mathematics materials. Appreciate the child’s spontaneous rhyming, chanting, silly name-calling, jokes, and riddles. Continue daily read-aloud times. Participate in 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous physical activities.

8. Cognitive benefits of play… creativity abstract thinking imagination problem-solving social cognition, empathy, perspective-taking mastering new concepts

9. Social Skill benefits from play… cooperation sharing turn-taking conflict resolution leadership skill development (control of impulses and aggressive behavior)

10. Emotional (affective) benefits of play… self-confidence self-esteem anxiety reduction therapeutic effects

11. Physical benefits of play… gross motor experiences fine motor experiences physical challenges fitness

12. Language Development benefits of play… communication skills vocabulary story telling emergent literacy

13. Attentional development benefits of play… attention regulation concentration persistence

14. Routines vs. Schedules The terms routines and schedules are often used interchangeably. Schedules represent the big picture—the main activities to be completed daily. Routines represent the steps done to complete the schedule.

15. Routines vs. Schedules Routines and schedules need to be taught directly. Routines and schedules may vary. Based on level of children’s interest Should be inherently flexible (to allow for firedrills, field trips, etc.)

16. Routines Activities and procedures that occur regularly Often involve a series of responses Preschool routines typically include Arrival time Bathroom time Cleanup time Departure Nap time Snack time Story time

17. Daily Schedule Blocks of time for classroom activities Sequence of classroom activities Preschool schedules typically include Group or circle time Activity or center time Snack time Outdoor time Story time

18. Routines and Schedules are important because: They influence a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. They help children feel secure. They help children understand expectations. They help reduce behavior problems. They can result in higher rates of child engagement.