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Playing looks like fun, but it's also important work!

Playing

Playing Teaches Early Literacy!

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." -Fred Rogers

How Can Playing Develop Early Literacy Skills?

  • Play is simply the best way for children to learn language, literacy, social, and other skills. It also nurtures creativity.

  • Play helps children think symbolically (one thing can stand for another): a box becomes a car, a playmate is a firefighter, etc. This will help them understand that written words stand for real objects and experiences.

  • Children develop thinking and oral language skills: as they play store or pretend to be animals, they talk about what they are doing. They are practicing putting their thoughts into words.

  • When children make up stories for what they're doing (dramatic play) they learn narrative skills. For example, stories happen in an order: first, next, last.

  • Make-believe allows children to act out real situations, work through worries and fears, and solve problems using their imaginations.

  • Play builds self-confidence and imparts a sense of accomplishment in children. This motivates them to try new experiences and not give up when things are difficult.

What Kind of Play?

You are your child's first and favorite playmate! Your child learns something new through each interaction with you.How kids play changes as they grow.

  • How children play will change as they grow. It is normal for babies and young toddlers to play alongside rather than with each other, for example. To learn more about the typical development of play, see: The Power of Play in Child Development and The Development of Play Skills from Birth to 3.

  • Let them lead: give your child the freedom they need to explore items and do activities in their own way, at their own pace. Show them one way to interact with a toy, but allow them to find other ways too.

  • Respond to their signals: paying attention to your child's expressions and gestures will help you know when you need to change activities or offer assistance. You want to provide just enough help so they don't get frustrated, which will motivate them to keep trying.

  • Play it again: Repeating the same game or activity over and over again may bore you, but your child is practicing in order to gain mastery of new skills. Encourage them in their efforts to do it "All by myself!"

  • Adapt to meet their needs: Giving your child a place to play in that is safe to explore will ensure fewer "No"s and more smiles. Pay attention to their cues – some children like lots of sensory stimulation, and others may want to focus on one thing at a time.

  • Remember that the best kind of play is often unstructured. Don't pressure yourself or your child; simply enjoy your time together.

Putting it into Action

Here are several examples of using Play to help build early literacy skills:A simple color sorter

  • Play matching and sorting games! As children notice what is alike or different, they will be prepared to understand the distinctions between letters.

  • Play with blocks – it builds motor, math, and science skills by providing opportunities for sorting, categorizing, building, and knocking down.

  • Use puppets or other props for dramatic play. Acting out the story of a favorite book builds narrative skills.

  • Involve all their senses: Go on a scavenger hunt for items of different colors, different textures, etc. This kind of sensory play will expand your child's knowledge of their world as you talk about what they're exploring.

  • Add print to pretend play: suggest that your child write prescriptions if they're playing doctor, menus for a restaurant, prices for a store, etc.

Sources:

Saroj Ghoting
Every Child Ready to Read 2nd Edition
The Power of Play in Child Development
The Development of Play Skills from Birth to 3

Preschool Events
Sat, Dec 07, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Dec 07, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Dec 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Dec 09, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Dec 09, 5:30pm - 6:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 10, 10:15am - 11:00am
St. John - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Dec 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Tue, Dec 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Tue, Dec 10, 10:30am - 11:15am
Munster - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Tue, Dec 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 10, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 10, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Dec 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Dec 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Dec 12, 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Munster - Children's Program Room

Sat, Dec 14, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Dec 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Mon, Dec 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Dec 16, 10:30am - 11:30am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 17, 10:15am - 10:45am
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Dec 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Tue, Dec 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Tue, Dec 17, 11:00am - 11:30am
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Dec 17, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 17, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Dec 17, 12:00pm - 12:40pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Dec 18, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Thu, Dec 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Thu, Dec 19, 10:30am - 11:15am
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Dec 19, 11:00am - 11:30am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Thu, Dec 19, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Sat, Dec 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Mon, Dec 23, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Dec 23, 5:30pm - 7:15pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room

Fri, Dec 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Fri, Dec 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Children's Area

Tue, Dec 31, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Thu, Jan 02, 10:15am - 10:45am
St. John - Large Meeting Room

Thu, Jan 02, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Thu, Jan 02, 10:30am - 11:15am
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Jan 02, 11:00am - 11:30am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Thu, Jan 02, 11:15am - 12:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room

Thu, Jan 02, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Jan 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster Branch Library - Children's Area

Family Events
Sat, Dec 07, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Dec 07, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room D
This event is full

Sat, Dec 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room

Mon, Dec 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A

Wed, Dec 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Dec 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Dec 14, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Dec 14, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
This event is full

Sat, Dec 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Sat, Dec 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Tue, Dec 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Dec 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Dec 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A

Thu, Dec 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Sat, Dec 21, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville Branch - Children's Area

Cancelled
Sat, Dec 21, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville Library - Children's Area

Mon, Dec 23, 5:30pm - 7:15pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room

Sat, Dec 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Tue, Dec 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Jan 02, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Jan 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster Branch Library - Children's Area