| Every kind of play is a learning opportunity for | | | | even though learning is a life-long process, there |
| child development. Playing fun games is one tool | | | | are windows of opportunity where the brain is at |
| parents can use for child development and the | | | | its peak at creating neural pathways that facilitate |
| absence of play can be an obstacle to the | | | | specific types of learning. We have noticed a child |
| development of healthy and creative children. | | | | below 10 years old is very adept at learning |
| Child development refers to how a child becomes | | | | language but after about age 10, this aptitude for |
| able to do more complex things as they get older. | | | | language development starts to diminish. During |
| When we talk about normal development, we are | | | | these early years, the children brains are like |
| talking about developing skills like:o Fine and Gross | | | | sponges and when parents program fun games |
| motor skillso Cognitive development - decision | | | | as part of their children daily activities, are |
| makingo Creative growth - imagination, curiosityo | | | | stimulating their brain cells, causing neural |
| Social development - communication, self-control, | | | | connections which are vital for strong memory |
| self-esteem, self-confidenceo Emotional growth - | | | | and thinking skills. |
| the ability to deal with, manage, express and | | | | How parents can help in child development? |
| control their emotional states, including anger, | | | | Parents can help by playing simple activities and |
| sadness, excitement, anxiety and joy | | | | games with their children:- |
| At the end of the 20th century, scientists have | | | | |
| discovered that our brain never stops growing | | | | 1. Finger-play and singing games like "One Little, |
| and this astounding discovery has dispelled the | | | | Two Little, Three Little Indians" encourage children |
| belief that we are born with only so many brain | | | | to learn rhythm, counting and eye-hand |
| cells and cannot be reproduced anymore and if | | | | coordination. |
| these cells are not stimulated, they will be lost | | | | 2. Playing stimulating activities and games, such as, |
| forever. Now it is official that our brain DOES | | | | puzzles and word problems. Puzzles are fun |
| NOT STOP reproducing new cells or neurons and | | | | games which help children with abstract thinking |
| the secret is to stimulate the existing and new | | | | skills, visualizing space and how shapes fit |
| brain cells to prevent them from dying off. | | | | together. |
| How does playing with children stimulate their | | | | 3. Pretend play, children love to pretend they are |
| brain? | | | | heroes, parents, or other adults doing "grown-up" |
| | | | things, improving their language and creative skills. |
| 1. Brain growth in terms of the number of brain | | | | 4. Building blocks teach many math concepts and |
| cells, the number of permanent neurological | | | | skills such as counting, length, height and patterns. |
| connections critical for learning and how these | | | | 5. Play-dough and clay give children of all ages, |
| connections are wired are positively stimulated | | | | opportunities to explore changes in form as they |
| when the parents provide an enriched | | | | mold the substance. |
| environment where they allow the kids to | | | | 6. Play board games, start a game of hide and |
| explore, play, have fun and develop deep bonding | | | | seek, playing outdoors, read their favorite story |
| with them. | | | | books, work on crafts or hobbies, listening and |
| 2. Parents are unconsciously providing a conducive | | | | dancing to music are some fun games parents |
| and loving environment when they are playing fun | | | | can play with their children. The activities and |
| games with their children, where they "receive" | | | | games parents can play with their children are |
| signals or messages that they are loved, | | | | endless. If parents are running out of ideas or |
| important and fun to be around which in turn | | | | would like to learn more on how to play with their |
| develops their self-esteem and self-confidence. | | | | child for their development, parents can try the |
| Why playing during the children early years are | | | | "Mind Power Series" which is a set of 3 e-books |
| essential for brain development? | | | | having more than 360 fun games emphasizing on |
| Connectivity among brain cells are important for | | | | thinking skills to help children think and learn the |
| brain development for the fact that the neural | | | | fun and creative way and the most unique |
| pathways developed during the early years carry | | | | feature of this Series is that parents are guided |
| signals and allows one to process information | | | | with short, practical tips on how to get the best |
| throughout their lives. Timing is very crucial as | | | | out of these games for child development. |