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This article was downloaded by: [University of Connecticut] On: 08 October 2014, At: 02:19 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Childhood Education Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uced20 For Parents Particularly: Playing with Your Child Rose B. Jones a a Early Childhood Literacy , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg , USA Published online: 25 Jul 2012. To cite this article: Rose B. Jones (2004) For Parents Particularly: Playing with Your Child, Childhood Education, 80:5, 272-272, DOI: 10.1080/00094056.2004.10522816 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2004.10522816 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

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Page 1: For Parents Particularly: Playing with Your Child

This article was downloaded by: [University of Connecticut]On: 08 October 2014, At: 02:19Publisher: RoutledgeInforma Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: MortimerHouse, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Childhood EducationPublication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uced20

For Parents Particularly: Playing with Your ChildRose B. Jones aa Early Childhood Literacy , The University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg ,USAPublished online: 25 Jul 2012.

To cite this article: Rose B. Jones (2004) For Parents Particularly: Playing with Your Child, Childhood Education, 80:5,272-272, DOI: 10.1080/00094056.2004.10522816

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2004.10522816

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”)contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensorsmake no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitabilityfor any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinionsand views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy ofthe Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources ofinformation. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands,costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly orindirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial orsystematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution inany form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

Page 2: For Parents Particularly: Playing with Your Child

MARYJANE BLASI ~

Playing With Your Child Rose B. Jones

w h a t is play? Many researchers have made numerous attempts to discover what play really is. In or- der to answer the question, a work- ing definition of play must be found. According to one definition, “Play is the process through which chil- drenlearn” (Morrison, 1998,~. 198). If children learn through play, then it is of utmost importance that par- ents, children’s first teachers, pro- vide opportunities for play at home. Furthermore, parents need to pro- vide an environment at home that includes games and toys that will support their children’s play. And as the child will need a playmate, who better than his/her own parent?

Parents who respond to their children‘s play ideas help them feel that they are valued and effective play partners. Later on, children may become eager to play with their peers. If parents do provide a bal- anced parent-child play experience, with fun included, then their chil- dren are likely to have a more posi- tive outlook toward other children. In that case, the child will look for- ward to playing with other children outside the family. Therefore, par- ents can have an influence on their children’s social development through play. Consequently, children can learn crucial skills through play with their parents. The children whose parents frequently play with them have been found to get along better with their peers; these children also have been found to have advanced social skills (Mize & Abell, 1996).

Engaging in Parental Play Have you ever played with your

Rose B. Jones is Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Literacy, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hatfiesburg.

child? A number of parents would answer yes. Unfortunately, many parents do not actually play with their children-what many do is play near or around their children. Par- ents usually serve as monitors, pro- viders, and nurturers in the play experience. Due to their busy lives and time restraints, parents some- times act only as observers, telling their children to go play with a new toy or to go play with a new game. Consequently, parents miss out on very exciting experiences with their children, because they have not be- come actively engaged in play.

To be actively engaged in the play experience, parents must play, too. It is good for a parent to play. Parental play can be very enjoyable. The following are examples of play ac- tivities that parents can engage in with their children:

Hold or sit beside your child as you develop a conversation about the toy that you both are interact- ing with. Discover toys together by hand- ing the toy or game to your child. Then, allow the child to hand it back to you. Gestures and eye contact are very important. Play some traditional, age-appro- priate games together, including reading and drawing games. It can be helpful for the parent to say, sing, or play tapes of nursery rhymes. Other rhymes and songs can be sung, too. The child will verbally join in this activity as he or she matures. Play on a quilt on the floor with your child while music is being

played. Play exercise games with your child. Play board games, table sorting games, or puppet games with your child. Talk, laugh, and listen to your child as your child plays with you, when age appropriate. Be sure to give frequent hugs and praise to your child throughout the day.

Note: Examples of traditional games are: peek-a-boo, ring-around-the- rosie, London Bridge, Grand Old Duke of York, jump rope, roll the ball, walking games, and drop the handkerchief. (Make sure that they are considered developmentally ap- propriate for your child’s age level.)

Special Note: Numerous examples of traditional games can be found in books, including Elenzeiztnry School Recess: Selected Readings, Games, and Activifies for Teaclzers and Parents (Clements, 2000).

Play is supposed to be a pleasur- able experience for the parent and the child. So, go ahead and bond with your child physically, socially, emo- tionally, and intellectually by truly playing with him or her.

References Clements, R. L. (2000). Eleirieiitnry scliool

recess: Selected rmdiiigs, gnriies, niid nctivi- tiesfor tenclrers nird ynreiits. Lake Charles, LA: American Press.

Mize, J., & Abell, E. (1996). Encouraging skills in young children: Tips teachers can share with parents. Diiiieiisioris of Enrly Childliood, 24(3), 15-23.

Morrison, G. S. (1998). Enrly cliildlioorl edircntiorr todfly. UpperSaddleRiver,NJ: Prentice-Hall.

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