focuses on play

1. Why is “Play” so Important in
Child Development?
By Traci Daniel

2. What is Play…?
 To engage in an enjoyable activity
 To have fun, amuse, occupy
 May be with or without symbolism
Think about your classroom…
Watch your children play…

3. Types of Play…
 Construction -building, stacking, creating
 Sensory-Motor-exploring environment through
senses
 Preoperational- pretending, socialize @ higher level
 Onlooker- watches, does not participate or engage
 Solitary- independent
 Parallel- beside or near others, not influenced
 Associative- informal, communication, no structure
 Cooperative- formal, share expectations
WOW!! So Many…

4. When does “Play” come into “Play?”
 Four Areas of Development:
 Social/Emotional
 Language
 Cognitive
 Physical

5. Social/Emotional

6. Language

7. Cognitive
 Thought processes
 Of the mind/brain
 Concept skills
 Shapes, colors, ABC’s, 123’s
 Games- matching, recognition
 Develop understanding of material

8. Physical

9. Whole- Child Development
 Development in all areas is essential to “Whole-Child
Development”
 Retain more knowledge from the experience when
interested and engaged
 Implement learning material into play areas

10. How do we set up for play?
Do Facilitate - Don’t Dictate
 Be prepared
 Set up materials in advance
 Child selected activities
 Offer choices that you can live with
 Be available to guide children

11. What are they learning…?
Language
Physical
Cognitive
Social/
Emotional

12. What are they learning…?
Language
Cognitive
Physical
Social/
Emotional

13. References:
 Isbell, Rebecca T. & Shirley C. Raines,
Creativity and the Arts with Young Children,
2nd ed., (2007), Thomson Delmar Learning,
Clifton Park, NY
 Frost, Joe, Sue Wortham & Stuart Reifel,
Play and Child Development, 2nd ed., (2005),
Prentice Hall, NJ