Brown Bag Bytes: Bright
Beginnings
Young Children and the
Importance of Play
Presented by:
Dawnita Nilles
Extension Agent/Family Resource Coordinator
The Importance of Play for
Children
“It has been said that play is a child’s work. It is
even more. It is a child’s world. When do we see
children most happy and growing? At play. When
do we see children at their most creative? In
Play. What do most children ask parents to do?
Come and play. Play in all its myriad types and
activities is the cornerstone of a child’s learning
and development. Why wait? Go out and play!”
- Dr. Sean Brotherson
Stages Of Play
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Solitary Play (very young children)
Parallel Play (2-3 years)
Associative Play (3 1/2 - 4 1/2
years)
Cooperative Play (4-5 years)
(as defined by Parten in 1932)
Purpose of Play
children acquire, practice &
master skills
 children learn abstract concepts
 children gain a sense of order and
control over their expanding world
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(according to Rita Anderson & Linda Neuman in Partners in Play)
How do Adults Further or
Enhance a Child’s Play?
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provide an adequate amount of
time
limit the number of choices
be a role model
follow the child’s lead
ask open ended questions
What is my Child learning from:
Listening to Music and Dancing Around?
connecting the outer world of movement & sound
with the inner world of feelings & observation
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Opposites
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Expanding a child’s imagination
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Physical Fitness
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Finger Plays & Nursery Rhymes develop:
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language skills
small motor skills
coordination
self esteem
What is my Child learning from:
Cutting & Gluing (unrecognizable)
Pictures (Art Projects)?
 creativity
 pre-reading skills
 social skills
 fine motor skills
 self-esteem
Remember it is the PROCESS not the
PRODUCT that is Important
What is my Child learning from:
Running Around Yelling & Screaming
Outside?
 large motor development
 cross-lateral movement (right
arm/left leg & vice versa)
 creativity
What is my Child learning from:
Snack Time
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social skills
one to one correspondence &
counting
small motor skills
What is my Child learning from:
Stacking Up Blocks & Knocking Them
Down?
 scientific, mathematical, &
language skills
 small muscle skills
 feelings of competence &
self-esteem
 life skills
What is my Child learning from:
Dressing Up in Too Big, Outdated
Clothes?
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practicing situations from the grown-up
world in a setting that is safe & secure
concentration & attention skills
sequential acts & story writing/telling
flexibility
empathy
abstract
thinking
PLAY IS CHILDREN’S
WORK & IF THEY ARE
SUCCESSFUL WITH
THIS FIRST JOB IT
WILL LEAD TO
FURTHER SUCCESS
LATER IN LIFE