The Importance of Play: Following Your Child's Lead
Functional play skills are a foundation of learning and exploration. Development of play skills also reinforces the development of social skills, language, speech, and fine/gross motor skills.
Kami L. Sammetinger M.S., CF-SLP
Morgan Barton, SLP
Functional play skills are a foundation of learning and exploration. Development of play skills also reinforces the development of social skills, language, speech, and fine/gross motor skills.
Repetition of Skills
One of the most important aspects of therapy is repetition! In order to solidify the child’s newly learned skill through play the child needs to perform the task consistently. Provide the child with opportunities to practice their new skill with other communication partners and in different contexts to promote generalization of skills. Imitating the child’s utterances and actions is also a great way to promote repetition. Like they say: “practice makes perfect!”
Reinforcement Through Play
Celebrate your child’s discoveries and new successes! Whether your child is rewarded through praise or through a preferred item, it is important to praise your child. Below are some reinforcement ideas:
- Verbal praise- “Woohoo”, “Yay”, “I am so proud of you!” - Sometimes all a child needs is words of encouragement and affirmation.
- Music/Videos- Play clips of their favorite songs or videos as a reward.
- Play Time- During structured tasks the best way to reward your child is through a break.
- Candy or Snacks- Small amounts so they do not fill up!
*Quick Tip*
Begin with reinforcement on a schedule so the child knows what to expect. Slowly fade this out and reward the child intermittently. This increases the likelihood of consistent performance of desired behaviors!
Following Your Child's Lead
Children are more likely to listen, talk, and learn about things that they find interesting. Following your child’s lead means playing what your child wants to play. Let your child choose what you play with, how you play, and where you play.
Tips to help you follow your child’s lead:
- Get down on your child’s level. Join your child on the floor.
- Comment on what your child is doing.
- Encourage your child’s attempts to communicate.
- Don’t be afraid to act silly!
- Don’t do all the talking. Wait before you talk to show your child you want them to lead.
- Copy your child’s actions and the words they use.
- Use toys however your child wants to use them.
Potential at-home activities:
- Pretend to cook food while playing with a kitchen set- Allows for requesting and sequencing events
- Play house with a doll house and dolls- Model conversations and simple language during play
- Take turns blowing bubbles- Count 3-2-1-GO to allow them to develop joint attention
- Use simple toys- Learn more about simple toys here
Children develop new skills through a cycle of playing and learning.
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