Reading to Children

Grab a book and read together!

In an age where technology has taken over nearly everything. Music, our social lives, as well as communication and work there is one thing that is hundreds of years old that the traditional way is still the best and research supports this.

Reading to and with your child.

Believe it or not devices or TV’s cannot take over the role of a child having a loving adult read to them.

Parts of the brain kick into gear when a child is read to by a real live human being that does not when they hear a story from a DVD or a recording.

Children ask questions, want to hear parts again and become curious about illustrations, the actions of the characters or the parents world famous most favourite question….. “Why?”

We learn from being curious and asking questions. DVD’s and recordings can’t answer us.

Here is a link with an article about 10 Benefits of reading to your child.

Enjoy!

Play based Learning

Play based learning

Continuing with last month’s theme of physical play we are emphasising the importance of play and how play based learning scaffolds our curriculum. Play based learning is important for children to develop positive social/emotional skills, where they explore peer relationships and learn to communicate and negotiate through various scenarios and situations.

They also test themselves, take measured risks and discover new ideas, and abilities about themselves. So, really, play is all about exploring one’s environment, social structures and a path of learning and self-discovery.

Here is an article we found that helps define play as well as looks at what your child may be learning while they “play”.

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-publications/every-child-magazine/every-child-index/every-child-vol-16-3-2010/play-based-learning-free-article/

Child Development

Reaching Milestones

Here is a great link for all families who are curious as to how their child is doing developmentally. Every child develops at their own pace and usually the sequence of skills is the same for everyone. But if you have any worries about the milestones children should be meeting before they become a concern, here is the link to the Red Flags Early Identification Guide. It shows what milestones children should meet by a certain age and tips on how to encourage skills and development through play.

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/red-flags-a3.pdf