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    Learning Through Play

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    The American Occupational Therapy Association
    THE ACT OF PLAYING is an important tool that influence’s a child’s life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Occupational therapy practitioners have expertise in evaluating children’s neurological, muscular, and emotional devel- opment; and determining the effects of infant and childhood illness on growth and development.

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    Learning Through Play

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    The American Occupational Therapy Association
    879 views2 pages
    THE ACT OF PLAYING is an important tool that influence’s a child’s life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Occupational therapy practitioners have expertise in evaluating children’s neurological, muscular, and emotional devel- opment; and determining the effects of infant and childhood illness on growth and development.

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    LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

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    THE ACT OF PLAYING is an important tool that influence’s a child’s life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Occupational therapy practitioners have expertise in evaluating children’s neurological, muscular, and emotional devel- opment; and determining the effects of infant and childhood illness on growth and development.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    879 views2 pages

    Learning Through Play

    Uploaded by

    The American Occupational Therapy Association
    THE ACT OF PLAYING is an important tool that influence’s a child’s life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Occupational therapy practitioners have expertise in evaluating children’s neurological, muscular, and emotional devel- opment; and determining the effects of infant and childhood illness on growth and development.

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    For Living Life To Its Fullest

    LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

    THE ACT OF PLAYING is an important tool that influences a childs life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a childs job or occupation to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Occupational therapy practitioners have expertise in evaluating childrens neurological, muscular, and emotional development; and determining the effects of infant and childhood illness on growth and development.

    What Can Parents and Families Do?


    Encourage sensory rich play by using balls, sand and water toys, slides, swings, finger paints, and magnets. During sensory play, children use their senses to incorporate smell, touch, sound, vision, and movement. Encourage manipulative play, such as using play dough, LEGOs, and board games. Toys such as puzzles, pegboards, beads, and lacing cards help improve the childs eyehand coordination and dexterity. Promote imaginative or pretend play with things like dolls and stuffed animals, toy furniture, puppets, and telephones. Pretend play encourages creativity and role playing and provides an opportunity to rehearse social skills. Choose toys that are appropriate to the childs age and/or maturity level. They do not have to be expensive or complicated to be beneficial. Common objects, such as pots and pans, empty boxes, spools of thread, shoelaces, and wooden spoons are readily accessible and encourage children to use their imagination. Remember when choosing a toy to consider whether a child must be supervised while playing with it. Toys should not have small parts that break easily or can be swallowed.

    What Can an Occupational Therapy Practitioner Do?


    Help adapt toys or modify the environment to provide optimal sensory input without overwhelming the child. Recommend toys and play activities that provide the just right challenge for the child, so he or she learns while having fun. The occupational therapy practitioner can also recommend ways to build on the childs strengths and abilities. Offer play opportunities that encourage turn taking and problem solving. Consider family routines and priorities when recommending play strategies. Observe, identify, and develop play strategies that promote a healthy lifestyle and relationships. Suggest toys that will help the child develop particular skills, while having fun. Recommend ways for family members to be more involved in the childs play. Suggest toys and play activities for children of all abilities and ages. Collaborate with educators and caregivers to enhance playtime at home, during recess at school, and during community outings. Help determine what toys will be safe, developmentally appropriate, and fun for a particular child, based on an evaluation and in consideration of the childs and familys needs and goals.

    Recommended Toys and Activities for Children and Teens


    Infants Rattles, mobiles, playmats, mirrors, crib toys, infant swings, teething toys, busy boxes, squeeze toys

    Toddlers and Preschoolers

    Blocks, stacking rings, pegboards, shape sorters, push and pull toys, balls, books, sand and water toys, large beads, movement games, toy cars and trucks, train sets, musical toys

    School-Aged Children

    Building sets, books, bicycles, roller skates, ice skates, board games, checkers, beginning sports

    Middle Schoolers and Adolescents

    Athletics, books, hobbies, crafts, electronics

    Need More Information?


    Occupational therapy practitioners promote play for all children, with or without disabilities. Play challenges could indicate a need for further assessment. If you would like to consult an occupational therapist, ask your physician, other health professionals, and your school districts director of special education for information on how you can access an occupational therapist in your area. You can find additional information through the American Occupational Therapy Association at www.aota.org.

    Occupational therapy is a skilled health, rehabilitation, and educational service that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Copyright 2012 by the American Occupational Therapy Association. This material may be copied and distributed for personal or educational uses without written consent. For all other uses, contact [email protected].

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