The activities in, “A World of Play” help develop fundamental physical movement skills that lead to a healthy and active life style. It is important that children can become confident and willing to participate in sport and other recreational activities.

When the 2 year old begins to walk confidently, they often still do so while looking at their feet. The walk may even occasionally be on tip toe. The child may find steps and stairs difficult to manoeuvre. They do not continue either upwards or downwards with alternating steps as the adult does.  How amazing then, that within a few years the child seems to have mastered control of both gross and fine motor movement and much is done automatically. Sound body awareness and control of body parts has been developed. Eye hand coordination is developing and by 6 years of age most children show a preference for a dominant hand. Improved balance allows cycle riding or other complex integrated movements involved in sports.

Yet all of these skills need to be supported through practice. Catching a ball or throwing with an over arm action do not come as automatic responses. Skipping and hopping are difficult skills. Winking with one eye is an achievement that brings a proud smile to a child on the first successful single wink. All the activities in the book, “A World of Play,” will help develop fine motor control. There are also suggested activities to develop gross motor skills and awareness of specific body parts. There is plenty of opportunity to move spontaneously to music or work through a sequence of rhythms in hand clapping, or animal movements, or weaving through, and around objects.

Some of the activities require fast movements and others slow and controlled movement. A child may not be able to be successful on a first trial. It is important to allow approximations and build upon smaller acquired skills. Some skills are practiced in a creative way just as the child plays with you. Others are more structured and there is instruction as to how best to teach a ball throw and catch, or how to perform a successful forward roll.
In playing with the an adult a child learns how to work cooperatively, how to listen and take turns, how to praise and be pleased for someone else. The adult defines safety boundaries and describes this clearly to the child. Trust and respect for each other is learned. It is important to respect when the young child feels uncomfortable, unable or frightened to try something new. Do not push on too quickly. Learning to play cooperatively at home will stand in good stead in the community and school play grounds.

One cannot perform physical exercise well without healthy eating. There is much in the book to encourage healthy eating and to help your child understand what categories of food are better than others. The combination of activities encourages a holistic approach to good living. Children can learn how to make healthy eating choices, how to cooperate with other children and how to enjoy recreational activities both in the home and outside.