Play and learn
Kids learn a lot when they play. They engage in in various kind of activities and learn from it. Kids between 2yr till 4yr learn many things as they play. Playing at this stage is an important part of developing skills and mental growth. Play, for children does not involves only one kind of game but involves different stages. These games evolves as they grow.
These kids play games help them grow and also helps achieve social interaction abilities. Here are six kinds of play that your toddler might engage in.
Creative and free playis an important part of a children’s growth and development. They engage in role play, imaginative play or use objects in a new way. Your little one will learns to explore, which improves their sensory and motor skills.
Unoccupied play: This is the most basic type of play in which child makes random movements of their hands and legs. Parents can encourage this form of play by attracting the child’s attention to lots of textures and colours
Solitary play: In this play, kids commonly engage in lifting toys and other objects and observe them. Kids will sit quietly in one corner without engaging with other. This is considered the child’s first step towards independent living and developing social interactions.
Onlooker play: This game is played by the kids who are two to three years old. They observe other children who are playing, without involving themselves in the game. Children who engage in onlooker play learn by observation. They also pick up language skills by listening.
Parallel play: It involves playing side-by-side with limited interaction with each other. These children will sometimes observe each other and change their play based on it.
Associative play: Children start engaging in this form of play when they turn three-four years of age.During this age they become more interested in other children than toys. At this point they begin interacting with the other children which helps in improving their socialising skills.
Fantasy play: Children also begin engaging in fantasy play in their preschool years. They imagine situations or people or imagine themselves in a particular situation and act out accordingly. This kind of play prompts children to play with language and emotions.
From simply observing to depicting a character they are enacting, kids grow in the outlook. They learn to understand other person’s behaviour and also pick up the behaviour from others. In these games, their imagination is triggered, their play interest changes from toys to other children. They get more engaged in activities where they get a response. They learn to interact and become socially connected. So next time you find your child sitting alone in a corner or copying someone else don’t worry. Just let the growth happen.
