This is definitely the fan favorite among the kid crowd. Best of all is that it comes so naturally to them which totally works to our advantage as parents and caregivers. Playtime is where everything all comes together into one happy blend of activities that promote early literacy development as well as other bonuses such as social development, fine and gross motor development, and overall brain building. I could spend HOURS if not DAYS on this topic. It's one of my favorite research areas. Like we are talking full nerdage where I read academic articles and clinical reports, but I can put it all in simple to understand words. Honestly, this may end up becoming a series of blog posts.
Play is crucial. Play is needed. Play matters. Without play, a child's development WILL suffer, and the environment where playing occurs is just as important as play itself. When promoting these magical activities to create lifelong readers, I stress to parents and caregivers that these activities should be done with LOVE. Development thrives in an environment nurtured by love and where meaningful relationships and bonding opportunities are plentiful. Play is extremely important for children facing adversity. It is literally good for you. I was reading an article titled "The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children" from the American Academy of Pediatrics. This paragraph really stood out.
"When play and safe, stable, nurturing relationships are missing in a child's life, toxic stress can disrupt the development of executive function and the learning of prosocial behavior; in the presence of childhood adversity, play becomes even more important. The mutual joy and shared communication and attunement (harmonious serve and return interactions) that parents and children can experience during play regulate the body's stress response."
Wow. Just take a moment and let that all sink in. Something so simple can have such a profound impact. I often tell my parents that even a simple game of peekaboo while waiting in line can do so much for a child. The eye contact, the facial expressions, the inevitable laughter, they are all part of a back and forth interaction. It's simple, but it's building a relationship. I tell them that there is no right or wrong way to play as long as you're engaged, following the child's lead, and positively communicating together. With very young children, nonverbal communication will give you cues. Look for the smiles! Aaaahhhh...baby smiles! They could power the world if given the chance. Play encourages imagination. Play can mimic every day life.
Studies have shown that play and stress are linked. I'm sure that somewhere along the line you have heard that stress produces high levels of cortisol that leads to a host of negative impacts on the body, in particular weight gain. People who play often have low levels of cortisol. They have less stress and keep on playing because it's a positive activity that makes you feel good. Playing literally makes you feel good and makes you healthier. In that same article I read, it says that play activates nor-epinephrine that helps your brain make connections and facilitate learning. Score!
There are many kinds of formal and informal play, all that produce benefits and encourage development. I will post more at a later date. Right now, I want to make the connection between play and books and how early literacy is developed. Let me tell you about the awesomeness that is readers theater. Acting out a book and making it come alive is a great way to connect to visual learners, like yours truly. Do you tend to picture a story as you are reading it? I do. It's one reason why I was so late to get on the audio book train. I am super picky about narrators. If the voice doesn't match what I imagine the character's is like, I can't get into the story. Yes, I am a high maintenance gal like that! It's also why the book is better than the movie. 😀 Besides all that, it's just fun. In storytimes I love to use books that encourage things like repetition that kids can recite or sound effects that they can make. When a character stands up, I encourage the kids to do the same. If a character does some kind of crazy freakout, tantrum dance, you best believe I am getting some popcorn to watch that all play out! Books can encourage movement and physical activity with is so important. Parents have told me that stories I read at the library have led to continued storytelling in their home or backyard. Even when kids read to their dolls, stuffed animals, or even pets, they are playing. They are imitating something they saw me do, making that connection, and are learning. I also like to use puppets in my storytime programs and give the kids a chance to interact with them after the program. We also tell the same story different ways. For example I read the book, and then we retell it with a flannelboard story. All of these activities help children put thoughts into words. They are also able to learn that spoken and written words stand for real objects and experiences. Using books with movement, props, puppets, etc is a great way to promote playing. As I usually do, I am going to share some of my favorites as well as some websites that you might like to explore as well that talk about the power and importance of play.
Play websites:
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