FIVE MORE INSIGHTS FOR TODAY
21. Check your child’s toys for play value. Here are the four attributes:
1. Appealing to see
2. Interesting to touch.
3. Involves interaction.
4. Has surprise.
22. All learning takes place through the five senses. Whether a small baby, a child, or an adult,
we all learn through them. The more senses an activity has, the more powerful the learning
experience. Picture the power of the beach with something to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell.
23. Interaction is a key concept for play. High quality learning takes place when there is a
connection not only with the toys but also with other children and adults.
24. Surprise is at the heart of play. Peek-a-boo, guessing games, hidden objects, hiding ourselves,
and following our curiosity in general generate a host of worthwhile play experiences. Who do you
know that has a jack-in-the-box who has not been delighted?
25. Play should be part of a process. It should be generated by children and not focus on specific
results or correct solutions that conform to adult standards.
11. Act in an informed, confident way with your child. That is one sure way your day-to-day parenting will become easier and run more smoothly.
12. As a mother, you are the first to nourish your child’s body. As parents you are the first to nourish your child’s mind. Enjoy both of those responsibilities.
13. As an expectant parent you have a golden opportunity to prepare yourself for the most important job you will ever have. Become as ready as you can by gathering as much parenting information as possible.
14. As a new parent enjoy the first eight months as a grace period. You can’t make a mistake. How great is that!
15. Set up your own play-and-learn time with your child. Spend positive time together and decrease your child’s need for negative attention at the same time.
16. Point out successes to your child. Such acknowledgment is the way you encourage.
17. Be fair, firm and positive. You are fair by setting expectations. You are firm when you say what you mean and mean what you say. You are positive by turning every mishap into a teaching situation.
18. Use the R, S & T of parenting. Read, Sing and Talk to your child.
19. Play is a child’s work, and toys and other items are the tools. Playing results in learning in all developmental areas–cognitive, motor, social-emotional, language and self-esteem.
20. The most formed toys have the least value, and the least formed ones have the most.
Leave a Reply