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Engaging in play is an excellent way to meet people, make friends, and sustain those friendships. Children learn from and benefit greatly when engaged in fun activities together, especially within "inclusive" settings where children with and without disabilities play together. Social skills that are important to know in other aspects of one's life - job, school, community living - can be learned, practiced, and perfected through play, including: waiting in line, taking turns, initiating conversations, as well as sustaining them, accepting assistance and support from others, listening, and getting, accepting, and giving feedback, to name a few.
Children learn to initiate, sustain, and terminate social interactions through play. Through these interactions, children will also have the opportunity to develop and improve their communication skills, including the acquisition of alternative means of communication. Play has been linked to increased cooperation, which in turn aids in establishing and maintaining socially acceptable behaviors. Children learn to follow directions, take turns, abide by the agreed upon rules, and other important social-problem solving skills. Making choices helps children to identify their personal preferences. Children will learn to accept feedback from others, and equally as important, play will foster the ability to ask for, and accept the help of others The social skills learned through play, are foundational to successful relationships and interactions that a child engages in not only now, but through out his or her life.
Play will create and strengthen friendships with peers, for both individuals with and without disabilities. These friendships are very important for effective inclusion. Children will learn early on the traits they prefer in friends by asking certain friends to play as well as responding to friend's invitations. They will learn to be sensitive to other's needs and perspectives when engaging in play, and thus learn to negotiate and compromise when their perspectives or needs are in conflict with those of their friends. Play will often require individuals to work together, and through this cooperation children will learn to share with others. Overall, play will inspire a sense of belonging, which will increases self-esteem, happiness, confidence, as well as numerous other benefits.
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Latest Activity: Sep 28, 2014
Engaging in play helps children to gain self-confidence and increase self-esteem. Play is also thought to reduce or eliminate symptoms of stress and depression, and is an effective way to help children, in the words of children's songwriter Raffi, 'shake their sillies out', so they can focus on other necessary tasks. When the child has fun and enjoyment in their playtime, they will 'feel good' about themselves and about what they're doing. There are many ways through which play can produce these benefits that will stay with them throughout their lives.
A child's self-confidence and self-esteem are enhanced through play when they are able to achieve the goals that they set. This achievement through play will enable the child to appraise his or her own strengths and abilities, and as a result the child will develop self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment. The experience of success is provided through play leading children to accept future challenges.
Play allows for a healthier, more socially acceptable way of expressing one's feelings and opinions. Children are able to express negative emotions through play which will in turn reduce aggression. Expressing feelings through play will allow a child to work through their problems, rather than internalizing them. In doing this the child will be forming a basis for a healthy emotional, mental, social, and physical well-being by learning how to manage their emotions in a socially acceptable way.
Play provides great pleasure, joy, and freedom. Through play children will learn to embrace humor and laughter. These are crucial components for building effective coping skills and relaxation techniques. In addition they will help to reduce stress through the experience of fun.
As part of a successful play experience, children must be alert, engaged, and focused on the activity in order to be rewarded with the experience they hope for and expect. Lots of decisions and choices are made throughout the experience - "Which piece of the puzzle goes in THIS space?" "Do I pass the ball, or keep it?" "Do I press this command button to fire my lasers, or the other button to jump out of the way?" "What game do I want to play today at recess, and with whom?" "Is this skateboarding trick too difficult to try? What if I fail?" "Do I go biking today, or stay in to read" and, on an even more basic level "Am I interested in this activity, or would I rather do something else?" Play stimulates minds, and allows the child to develop many functional skills as a result.
Through the expression of preference over what activity to play or which toy to play with; children learn to develop decision making skills. Play helps children recognize the need to prioritize as they are unable to play with every toy at the same time, which in turn teaches children to compromise and share. Making choices give children a sense of independence, as they discover that they can solve the problems they are faced with by themselves.
Play experiences allow children to internalize the skills they learn at school. In play, children discriminate between colors, shape, and sizes. They may use a clock or play money in a particular activity making the things taught in school reality in everyday life. Play also, helps children to manage personal belongings, and cultivates a sense of responsibility.
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