Preparing your Child for School through Play
Preschoolers have high energy and need time to engage in active play in order to learn about their world and be prepared for Kindergarten and beyond. At first, infants learn primarily through using their five senses. As they develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively, children tend to enjoy more challenging activities. Fundamental learning and understanding through active play prepares children during their formative years for school and life.
Learning takes place by providing children with fun and simple play activities in the following categories:
This category is designed for children from newborn to the age of one. Throughout infancy children primarily use their senses to learn about the world. The sensory experiences found in this category provide opportunities for infants to use their senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch as they begin to explore their new environment.
Sample Activity:
Get Your Kicks
Target Age:
Early Infant
Materials You Will Need:
play mat with arches and hanging toys, string
What To Do:
Introduce your infant to cause and effect with this fun activity. Attach one end of a piece of string around your infant’s foot, and the other end tautly to the ring/link of the hanging toy. Stay close, showing your infant how kicking makes the toy above move. Enjoy watching your infant kick with delight and gusto! This activity will introduce your infant to cause and effect, a developmental skill.
Variations:
Introduce toys that make different noises.
Skills Learned:
Activity Category:
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- Sensory Experiences
Visit www.productiveparenting.com for fun and simple activities for your child birth-age 5.
