Why are we so intentional about play?
Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.
But for us, being intentional with play is even more than that. For many in our reach, childhood is when you start working, and it has been that way for generations. Leaving a culture where parents don't know what play is, and so forth. By teaching the art of play, we get to introduce an entire new culture to a region. One that is fun, but also has so many developmental benefits.
Q: What is play therapy?
A: Play therapy is to children what counseling is to adults. Play therapy utilizes play, children's natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words.
Q: What are some examples of play therapy?
A: creative visualization, storytelling, role-playing, toy phones, puppets, stuffed animals, and masks. Dolls, action figures, arts and crafts, water and sand play, blocks and construction toys, dance and creative movement & musical play.
Q: Why is play important in early years?
A: Play is an important part of a child's early development. Playing helps young children's brains to develop and for their language and communication skills to mature. It teaches young children about communication, develop their motor skills and help with problem-solving.
Q: What are the 4 types of play?
A: Functional Play, Constructive Play, Exploratory Play, Dramatic Play.
There are so many more things we could discuss about play! But we will save that for later in the year. For the mean time, we encourage you to get out and play. Do something new, laugh together and explore all that it means to play!
Ref: pediatrics.aappublications, https://cpt.unt.edu/what-is-play-therapy, https://www.healthline.com/health/play-therapy#techniques, https://babysparks.com/2019/07/31/4-types-of-play-how-is-your-child-playing-today/