P.O. Box 1074 Mooloolaba Qld 4557 |
Exploring through play
11 March 08
Did you know that your toddler’s play needs to include lots of exploring? Being allowed to explore and experiment within safe limits is extremely important for your toddler’s brain development. Those toddlers who are allowed ample opportunities to explore generally tend to become eager and flexible learners, and they become aware that an object has unlimited possibilities.
You can actually enrich the exploration process by asking your toddler open-ended questions, or leading your child toward an open-ended action. Here are some examples of open-ended questions:
- What happens if you flatten the clay?
- How can you connect two clay balls?
- Do you think that clay would stick to wood?
Pretend Play
Every parent has marveled while viewing their child’s play from a distance. It is like watching a re-run of current family events such as setting the table, washing the car, or even going grocery shopping. Perhaps your photo album is filled with treasures of your child imitating you – wearing your shoes, working by your side, or dancing your dance. Imitation is the first stage of pretend play. As pretend play evolves, it becomes more imaginative and complex. This is when your child will start adding to or changing the content of the play. Pretend play adds to the development of your toddler by providing opportunities to develop a larger vocabulary, build social skills, begin to differentiate between reality and fantasy, and develop healthy emotional skills.
One of the most important kinds of imaginative play is pretending to be somebody else: role-play. Your child will experiment with the roles of everyone she observes just as she tries out your domestic roles.
Dressing up helps this kind of play along, but don’t feel you need ready-made uniforms such as a fireman or nurse's uniform – instead just supply "props" which, to her at least, identify the character. Hats are often the key items and a collection of plastic helmets, hats, caps and head-dresses can be a good buy. Otherwise, just put together a collection of cast-offs like old handbags, bags, sunglasses, hats, shoes and accessories. Then sit back and enjoy the show as your toddler’s imagination thrives!