Dr. Toy's Smart PLAY Smart Toys – Expanded & Updated 4th Edition. Stevanne Auerbach

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СКАЧАТЬ is a natural phenomenon. Before you examine the toys to be used by your young one, it helps if you understand the principles of play. Of particular importance is understanding that play enriches both sides of the brain—right and left hemispheres. Thus, the underlying principle of play, smart play, is that the child will gather essential experiences necessary for her fullest cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

      As infants grow they play with innumerable things around them: their hands, their toes, sunbeams coming in through the window. At the same time they discover sounds; they babble and talk to themselves. They become conscious of the separate parts of their bodies; they make distinctions in color, light, and sound.

      How children interact with people and elements in their environment is revealing. We should stand back and observe them. As we watch them play, we come to know their play process, the ways they get frustrated, their tolerance levels, their curiosity and creative responses.

      We want to be sure our children play with others of different ages and abilities so our own child can experience a full range of social interaction: patience, empathy, compassion, support, and honesty. The way he plays affects how he feels about himself.

      A child plays alone, with other children, and with adults, and each style teaches him something different. Children help each other achieve increased degrees of sophistication. For example, children learn from other children by talking with and watching one another, by trying new scenarios, and exchanging information, even fantasies.

      In the earliest stages, little ones play merely in proximity to others without being involved with them. They play alone and find satisfying activities for themselves. As they grow, they learn to share toys, give them away, and they fight over them.

      When children enter nursery schools, childcare programs, parent cooperatives, or have visits away from home, they are introduced to new children, different toys and playthings, and other styles of playing. As they discover how to handle these situations, children strengthen their confidence, gain new experiences, expand responses and develop maturity.

       Power of Play

      Because of the power of play, you must understand your child’s need to explore, to meet and play with other children, and you must try not to interfere with your little one’s activity. Instead, serve as your child’s “Play Guide”—observe, enhance, and extend her experiences.

      When playtime is ending, for example, it is important to give the child enough advance notice so she can have time to bring the activity to a satisfying close. If we respect our children’s playtime, the child is almost always more cooperative when they must change gears to eat, nap, or go elsewhere.

      In play, children gain mastery over themselves and learn their own power in relationships with others. They grasp social values such as biases and responsibilities. They communicate better. They absorb concepts like making judgments. Each child expresses a unique style of play, and the ways he plays when he is young reflect how he will deal with others during later life.

      Allow your child to select his own form of play, as his choices are important for his individual growth. Rigid rules can be a damper to natural self-expression. As parent and “Play Guide” honor your offspring’s early learning style and space. Included are also considering and providing appropriate skill-building toys.

       Advantages of Play

      Play experiences help the child to:

      

Gain an understanding of the world.

      

Act productively with other children and adults.

      

Get and hold the attention of others in a suitable way.

      

Enhance the ability to concentrate, an essential skill before he begins school.

      

Expand his natural curiosity, whet his ability to solve problems, and foster spontaneity. These are each central components of mastering the learning process.

      When children enjoy what they are doing (provided what they are doing is positive behavior), there is less need for your discipline, or your worry. If they are having fun, children can play alone with blocks, construct buildings, or play with other children in mutual cooperative activities for long periods of time.

      Adults sometimes forget the importance of play. Through their play, children tell us what they are thinking and how they are feeling. If there are problems their play will reveal them. Play Therapy is a successful method to treat children who are having difficulty adjusting, or have had traumas, emotional issues, or other problems. You can better understand your child if you listen and watch her at play.

      Before you look at the different ways your child can use toys, and before you become conversant with finding the right toys, I would like you to first think about the important place toys have held in your own life.

      I created the Childhood \Toy Memory Exercise for many of my workshops with parents and teachers. It works well alone or with a partner. If you are doing it alone you may want to tape the questions and then replay them with your eyes closed. If you are doing it with a partner each should take a turn at trying the exercise. Through the experience you will discover that, no matter how “adult” you are, the significance of certain toys and play events often remains vivid in your life.

       Dr. Toy’s Childhood Toy Memory Exercise

      Close your eyes. Get comfortable and relax. Take a deep breath. You or your partner says the following:

      

“Let us return to your early memories.

      

Imagine yourself as a child. Imagine yourself at play. Do you see yourself inside the house or outside in the yard? Can you remember a toy you played with frequently? Can you see that toy?

      

What is your toy’s color? Shape? Size? Can you smell it?

      

Can you hold it and turn it over easily in your hand?

      

Is the toy large? Small?

      

Are you holding it tightly?

      

Are you playing by yourself or with other children?

      

Can you remember how long that toy held your interest?

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