Play Today

Think back to what you did with your child yesterday. I hope you fit in a little time for playing together. Playing together sends a message of love. I want to spend my time with you, doing things you enjoy. You deserve my time and attention!

So, what will you play today? The more imagination required, the better!

BOARD GAMES*DANCE COMPETITION*JOKE CONTEST*TEA PARTY*FOLLOW THE LEADER*MUD PIES*HIDE AND SEEK*OBSTACLE COURSE*CLOUD WATCHING*BIKE RIDES*TAG*CATCH*MAKE MUSIC*DRESS UP*I SPY*SPORTS*PUPPET SHOW*FORT*ART*BOOKS*BLOCKS*PRETEND*HOUSE*TREASURE HUNT*CARS AND TRUCKS*LEGOS*DOLLS*CHEFS*MODELS*CARDS*COLLECTIONS*PLAYDOUGH*RAKE LEAVES THEN JUMP CARELESSLY INTO THEM*ASK THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO PLAY

Play is after all, justification to stay young forever!

Fisher-Price Play and Learn Family Activities

Passing on some great ideas from Fisher-Price, organized by age group. The good news is they target multiple areas of child development.

Play and Learn Family Activities 5-6 Years

Build a Fort

**Pull out a few sheets and blankets and build a good old fashioned fort together in the living room. Beyond structure and architecture, climb inside and read a good book together by flashlight.**

Benefits of Play

Play is SO important that the UN High Commission for Human Rights says play is the RIGHT of every child.

Play enhances every domain of a child's development- gross and fine motor, language, cognition, social and emotional development.

Children are not passive learners. Children learn best when they play- being actively involved, engaged, free to explore in safe and supportive environments, and using all of their senses- sight, taste, touch, hearing, smelling.

To reach children the best way we know how, we must expose them to a variety of rich learning experiences in multiple contexts.

Sensory Play Promotes All Areas of Children's Development

I pulled this excerpt from a brochure for co-op parents. It refers to how sensory play is fostering development. It's so much more than just play!

Intellectual Development

• To develop creativity
• To understand cause and effect
• To refine problem-solving skills
• To learn basic math concepts such as volume, conservation, measuring, and comparing

Social & Emotional Development

• To learn and play cooperatively with others
• To develop group social skills
• To develop perseverance
• To explore social roles and relationships
• To deal with fears and problems

Physical Development

• To strengthen fine motor control
• To enhance eye-hand coordination
• To refine visual discrimination

Also not mentioned is how relaxing and stress-relieving it can be!

All About Play...stages, toys & tips

General guidelines from Fisher-Price about what a 5-Year-Old's play might look like.

Clicky link:
Fisher-Price