The Importance of Meaningful Play For Your Toddler
It's an exciting (and challenging) time for a parent isn't it?
The ages of 1-4... The 'Toddler' stage I mean...
From potty training, to learning to sleep alone, to walking to talking to tantrums, you name it, there's always enough to keep you busy!
But here's some things you might not know...
- Did you know that from 18 months is when a child's emotions are developed?
- Did you know that during the this period is when a child's brain begins to develop many synapses (neural connections) that form what kind of person the child will become...?
- "Early care has decisive and long-lasting effects on how people develop and learn, how they cope with stress, and how they regulate their own emotions.*
- Warm and responsive early care helps babies thrive and plays a vital role in healthy development. A child's capacity to control her own emotional state appears to hinge on biological systems shaped by her early experiences and attachments. A strong, secure attachment to a nurturing adult can have a protective biological function, helping a growing child withstand the ordinary stress of daily life." *
*Research taken from Rethinking the Brain—New Insights into Early Development; Conference Report—Brain Development in Young Children: New Frontiers for Research, Policy and Practice, organized by the Families and Work Institute, June 1996.
The point is that the interaction that you have with your child during this period is more important than perhaps any other time in their life!
Over the years, I have done much research and, having applied this knowledge with my own children I have learned that through meaningful, fun and challenging play, parents can maximize their child's developmental potential in all vital areas including visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic abilities...
Oh and I almost forgot!
Unlike some new age parents who prefer to put their child through rigorous, discplined learning routines to achieve this development, you will actually be doing it by HAVING FUN with your child!
This way not only does your child receive the maximum enrichment, at the same time they develop a stronger bond of love and connection with YOU... The most powerful gift any child could receive!
By Sarah Ashley
About Author
Sarah Ashley is a mother of 3, professional writer/reseacher and the author of the soon to be released "Meaningful Play: Super Fun Toddler Activities for Developmental Acceleration". For more information check out http://www.toddlerplaytime.com.
Source: ArticleTrader.com