MS SWATI POPAT VATS

Play and brain growth

• The hand and the brain need each other- Neurologically, "a hand is always in search of a brain and a brain is in search of a hand," as Wilson likes to say.

• use of the hands to manipulate three-dimensional objects is an essential part of brain development.

• All over the world, kids play with blocks, push around toys, throw balls, this is constantly fertilizing neural growth

BUT MY CHILD DOES PLAY! Researchers have also observed that when

children played in an environment dominated by play structures rather than natural elements, they established their social hierarchy through physical

competence; outdoor commercial games like soccer, jungle gym, ball pool and the colour bubble at mac’s

promote one upmanship, aggression and hence lead to a hyper stressed out child, whereas if in a open

lawn , they do not compete

Monster toys

• these toys set the agenda for the child. It's not the child figuring out what to do next; it's the device that decides.

• they make them loners• They lead to addiction• Language and communication suffers• And in extreme cases leads to obesity, health

problems and even blood clots

Play deprivation

• Some experts argue that “play deprivation" can lead to depression and hostility in children. After all, if you never had a break, you might get depressed, too!

Importance of rough-tumble play

• physical exertion of rough and tumble play also supports cardiovascular health.

• And, because rough and tumble play is so physical, children get many of their vital touch needs met through the play.

• Because the preschool period is a critical period for children to develop both physically and emotionally, rough and tumble play for preschoolers is invaluable."

SMALL MUSCLE EXERCISE SMALL MUSCLE EXERCISE STIMULATES BRAIN GROWTHSTIMULATES BRAIN GROWTH

“SMALL CHILDREN ARE NATURALLY FIDGETY.”

“NAUGHTY CHILDREN CANNOT SIT STRAIGHT”

NOW READ THE HEADING, DO YOU GET THE PICTURE?

SO, INVOLVE MORE SMALL MUSCLE MOVEMENTS IN LONGER SESSIONS.

CHILDREN LIKE TO DO THE FOLLOWING, DOES YOUR ENVIRONMENT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES

FOR IT?

TOUCHHOLD CLAP TWIRL FIND

REACH FOR

SQUEEZE LOOK UP KICK THROW

KNOCK DOWN

PINCH TURN TEAR PULL

GRASP DROP ROLL PUT IN-TAKE OUT

SHAKE

CUDDLE POUR CARRY SLIDE TUMBLE

BANG MIX PULL ALONG

HANG CLIMB

GAMES THAT DEVELOP IMPULSE CONTROL

• Traditional games:• Red Light, Green Light• Simon Says• London Bridge• Freeze Tag• Ready, Set, Go! (child must wait for “Go!”)

• Playing Simon Says is fun, but it is also an exceptional method for teaching impulse control.

• Impulse control, which has been extensively-Studied-by scientists, is consid ered an important early predictor of later success in school and in life.

Impulse Control and Compliance

• It makes sense that when children are more capable of controlling their actions, they are more capable of complying with adult demands.

• When we ask them to wait their turn, wait in line, or let others use the crayons, for example, we are asking for impulse control.

Scott Eberle, historian of play New York feels that most people go through a six-step process as they play

Anticipation, This leads to...Surprise, This produces ...Pleasure, Next we have...Understanding, the acquisition of new

knowledge, leading to ...Strength, the mastery that comes from

constructive experience and understanding, this results in...

Poise, grace, contentment, composure, memory, understanding and a sense of balance in life.

FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAIN

MEMORY

INTELLIGENCE

LOGIC

ONE OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE BRAIN……..INTELLIGENCE

STEPS FOR INTELLIGENCE

ATTENTIONPROCESSINGMEMORY RETENTION

STRATEGIES THAT ENHANCE ATTENTION, STRATEGIES THAT ENHANCE ATTENTION, PROCESSING, MEMORY AND RETENTIONPROCESSING, MEMORY AND RETENTION

POSITIVE EMOTIONS ENHANCE MEMORY

COLOURS ALSO STIMULATE MENTAL ALERTNESS AND

MEMORY

AROMA AND COLOURS……

COLOURS ENHANCE BRAIN FUNCTIONS

YELLOW, BEIGE AND OFF-WHITE ARE OPTIMAL FOR LEARNING

RED, ORANGE AND YELLOW SPARK ENERGY AND CREATIVITY.

Scott Eberle, historian of play New York feels that most people go through a six-step process as they play

Anticipation, This leads to...Surprise, This produces ...Pleasure, Next we have...Understanding, the acquisition of new

knowledge, leading to ...Strength, the mastery that comes from

constructive experience and understanding, this results in...

Poise, grace, contentment, composure, and a sense of balance in life.

TOY SELECTION FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

SELECT THE RIGHT TOYS AND HELP YOUR CHILD PLAY HIS WAY TOWARDS A SMART LIFE.

Learning styles and toy selection-

• Looker • Listener and •Mover

How the 9 intelligences can be developed through play-

These included; linguistic intelligence (“word smart”);

logical mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”);

spatial intelligence (“picture smart”); bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (“body smart”); musical intelligence (“music smart”); interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”);

and intrapersonal intelligence (“self smart”).he added an eighth intelligence; naturalist

intelligence (“nature smart”).

TE WHARIKI AND 9 WAYS OF CHOOSING TOYS

• EMPOWERMENT-• toys should be able to make children

independent rather than dependent. • HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT- • try choosing toys that develop more that

one skill

TE WHARIKI AND 9 WAYS OF CHOOSING TOYS

• FAMILY AND COMMUNITY- • The level of children's play rises when adults play with

them.• And "joining in" is different from controlling. Controlling

makes children follow their parents' agenda and does not lead to as much cognitive development as when parents follow their children's lead. Choose toys that are like group projects

• RELATIONSHIPS- • In dramatic play children are guided by the basic principles

of play. • When children follow the rules of make-believe and push

one another to follow those rules, they develop important habits of self control.

TE WHARIKI AND 9 WAYS OF CHOOSING TOYS

• WELL BEING-• toys should make children feel safe, any kinds of

games of play that bring about fear or anxiety would not be good for the well being of the child

• 6. BELONGING- • toys must belong to the child, let him put them

away, let him decide and let him take care. Toys that always need adult supervision while playing will not inculcate a sense of belonging in the child

TE WHARIKI AND 9 WAYS OF CHOOSING TOYS

• .7. CONTRIBUTION-• the child should be able to contribute in the play

or in the use of the toy, toys that work on their own will breed boredom that leads to frustration and violence

• 8.COMMUNICATION-• language development is one of the important

skills developed through play and toys, ensure that correct toys are selected to enhance this.

TE WHARIKI AND 9 WAYS OF CHOOSING TOYS

• 9. EXPLORATION- • allow children the chance to explore the

entire toy, do not interfere or lead the game. A sense of exploration and excitement is an integral part of all learning and play

Let’s save play…….

When enough people raise play to the status it deserves in our lives, we will find the world a

smarter place for kids.