Wood Eats! Scrumptious Cupcakes Dessert Set

Monday, April 30, 2012

Stages of Play

Stages of Play

Stages of Play

 


Children go through different sTAGes of play as they grow and develop. Very young Infants only have the ability to attend to one object at a time. Once an object is out of their sight, it is quickly forgotten. Infants play by themselves because they are so busy exploring and discovering their new world. Every new object or situation that is introduced is a new learning experience for the newborn. This very first sTAGe of play is called "Solitary Play or independent play. They are fully engaged in gathering information and storing it for further use. This sTAGe of play lasts until some where around nine months. This is a very self centered time for the developing infant.

Stages of Play

Stages of Play

Stages of Play


Stages of Play



Stages of Play

The second stage of play begins to loam in slightly older children usually by thetime a child is two years of age. "Parallel Play" is typical of this age child. This kind of play involves two or more children in the same room. They are interested in the same toys and both see the toy as belonging to them. Hence they maybe in the same area and play with similar toys, but they do not play together. They are playing along side each other simply because they are in the same area.

When children extend their knowledge and play experiences they move into "Associative Play." In this stage, three and four year old children begin playing together but it is a loosely organized fashion. The more mature child soon emerges as the leader or organizer in this stage of play. They see themselves as capable and able to tellothers what to do, the younger child seldom questions this authority that the more mature child has cultivated.

Finally the child expands into "Cooperatives Play" somewhere between the ages of four or five. Cooperative play takes place between two or more children as they grow and develop socially and emotionally. Cooperative play In children , exchange ideas about the game or the toy they are playing with at that moMent in time. Rules tend to still be very loosely constructed, but children know who is playing which role in their game. Play may last only a few minutes or it may stretch out for longer periods of time. Gradually they learn to respect the property rights of others. This is a clue that they are gaining social skills; at this same timethey begin to understand that they need permission to play with certain materials and certain people. They are also more willing to share their toys for the sake of the game. Communication about the play is the critical point of cooperative play.

It is important to note that children differ widely according to birth order within their own families. Boys and girls develop in different areas at different stages of their life, so there is never complete adherence to any of these exact ages. Not all children move through the stages at the same rate, because children who have more life experiences tend to emerge as leaders or organizers at younger ages. Confidence, shyness, and other personality traits factor into these stages of play.

Stages of Play

Friday, April 6, 2012

Toy Ideas for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Special Needs

Toy Ideas for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Special Needs

Special Needs

 


One of the more common problems with mainstream toys is that they are meant to be used with two hands-often times children with cerebral palsy will have limited use of one side of the body or the use of only one hand.

Special Needs Special Supplies Honey Bear Straw Cup Long Straws, 3-Pack Squeezable Therapy and Special Needs Assistive Drink Container, Spill Proof and Leak Resistant Lid

 




Toy Ideas for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Special Needs

Toys should be fun and children should have a feeling of accomplishMent or success when playing-not frustrated or reminded of what they cannot do.

Many of the commercial toys on the market can be adapted or used by children with cerebral palsy.

There are many toys that you can buy at any toy store or departMent store that are affordable and fun to use. Look for toys that can be used with one hand.
Musical instruMents are great for this-trumpet, harmonica, xylophoneor maracas. These also develop a sense of cause and effect with young children and help controlled moveMent with older children.

Magnetic type toys are all the rage and a big hit with kids of all ages-there are tons of magnetic toys available in many forms-magnetic jig saw puzzles, magnetic construction toys and magnetic marbles.

A simple ball is a lot of fun and great for developing coordination-get a neat ball that glows in the dark, flashes lights or play music when you roll it.

Toys or play that involve the senses will help with sensory integration development.
Sand and water are great for this. You can also fill a empty dish pan with uncooked rice-a great makeshift sand box for a rainy day.
A tipto avoid sand box mess: put the sandbox on cement blocks-will be at waist level and kids won't get sand in all their Clothes.

Toys that help with coordination and controlled movement are also a good choice.
Bowls filled with beads, beans or jelly beans are good for sorting, counting and grouping. Excellent for controlled movement.
Building blocks-simple wooden blocks, large dominoes for stacking also help with controlled movement. Also try empty milk cartons for stacking.

Play-doh is always a favorite-make your own play-doh and use Kool-Aid to not only color it but give it a fruity scent. Your child will be developing sensory awareness and visual motor integration skills as he plays.

Keep a box around filled with wheeled toys.Toy trucks and cars > of all sizes. These deal with non-verbal expression, problem solving and self-control.

Keep toys in site so your child can see what available-avoid opaque containers and lids. Baskets are great for this.

You can find many toys in local stores and make your own from even around your house without having to spend a lot of money on adaptive or special needs toys. Mainstream toys help with developmental skills such as cognitive awareness, controlled movement and coordination-and don't forget they are fun!

Toy Ideas for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Special Needs