WEEK 4: Start Chapter 5, pages 34-48
Before talking about this
chapter I have to say I am so impressed with the thoughtfulness and passion I
am reading in your comments. Participants are even reflecting as they watch
children play while on vacation. We are so fortunate to have so many dedicated
individuals working with young children in this state. Thank You!!!
Last week in Chapter 4, we reflected on children who had
difficulty playing well with other children, as well as factors that contribute
to play difficulties. Some of those factors include culture, gender,
temperament, lack of experience, exposure to trauma and special needs.
It is critical that teachers and caregivers realize the importance
of helping children be successful during play and developing social skills,
including joining a group to play, pretending, taking turns, and interacting
with other children appropriately.
We would like to share a summary from the 2010 WI ACES (Adverse
Childhood Experiences Study) about the importance of positive early childhood
experiences:
In recent years, we have learned a
great deal about the importance of childhood experiences to lifelong
well-being. Early experiences have a broader and more profound impact than most
of us would ever guess. Everyday interactions
and experiences in infancy and childhood greatly influence the
architecture of our developing brains and our subsequent emotional, cognitive,
social and neurobiological functioning. In short, these early experiences
affect the way we view ourselves and our world, the way we learn, how we cope
with life’s stressors, and how we form relationships throughout our lives.
Positive experiences in childhood often lead to healthy and productive
adulthood. Unfortunately, negative experiences can lead to poorer mental and
physical health, poorer school and work success and lower socioeconomic status
in adulthood.
(Retrieved from http://wichildrenstrustfund.org/files/WisconsinACEs.pdf).
This week, you will be using the Play Checklist to help identify
where a child may be having difficulty in play as well as a road map for
providing strategies to support young children’s play development.
You can find a copy of the checklist on the last page of your book. You
can also download a copy by clicking on the “Play Checklist” tab on the blog.
Enjoy your observations! We are looking forward to hearing
from you about how your children play.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge”. –Albert Einstein
