Why this Book?

My Intentions are Good but ……….!

I mean to get some activity on the go but run out of time to organize anything.
I start well but then race off to answer the telephone or stir the soup. Your child is bored waiting and starts whining or playing up.
I am irritated at my child’s poor behaviour. I have lost the opportunity to have fun together and to bond in a relaxed way.
I sometimes feel my partner or others do not take the fair share of play time.
I feel that Dad’s not confident in play. His work does not skill him in how to play with little ones. He thinks that is a “Mum’s” job!
I love when the Grandparents come but then worry that they have forgotten how to play in a modern way.
I know that after the initial excitement of saying, “Hello,” many adults wonder what to do next. They don’t know how to play.
I sometimes just don’t know what language to use to extend my child’s thinking.
I wonder what discussion I can start that would help my child to make sense of the world.
I want to teach my child the social skills needed to make friends and to counter bullying and how to be competitive without being mean. Often I lose focus and end up arguing instead.

Take some time out to play, giving undivided attention to your child.
Enjoy engaging at your child’s level of interest, knowing what to play.
Target play so there is learning, fun and a sense of achievement.
Model language and social skills to give them a strong start to school and life.
Provide a safe place so that your child feels nurtured and protected.
Give your child the confidence to share beliefs and values with you.
Create the opportunities for your child to problem solve and make good choices.
Help your child understand how you think and make decisions.
Rejoice that your child is bonding with you in a lasting way that will be happily remembered.
Know that these activities and values will be passed on to future generations in a positive way.

“A World of Play,” is your resource of activities, language and fun.

It is packed with activities described in detail. Some are well known and some have a new twist.
All are directed in some way to building strong foundations of knowledge; to support language, to create understanding, to develop processes of thinking and problem solving, to explore science, to encourage creativity, to foster social skills and to develop positive adult child relationships.
It is possible to play all activities within the house. Most things needed to play any game can usually be found within the home.

This is quite a different collection of games and activities.

Children are energetic intelligent thinkers who will surprise you with the knowledge they seek.
These suggestions help you to think beyond a single activity.
It is not a generic list of common things you can do with a child.
The ideas are explicit and well resourced.
The activities are built on strong educational and psychological research
The suggested activities build upon and reinforce a wide variety of skills required for later learning and leisure.
There is learning that will support natural and age appropriate development for your child.
The ideas are built around themes to which most children can relate.
The scope of play is not limited to an “average” ability or age. Any activity can be adapted and expanded in response to how engaged your child is.

This is a book you can use in chapter sequence and become immersed in the theme with your child.
You may also dip into it at any time, in any order, and for any given number of activities at a time.
You may offer a chapter to the baby sitter or grandparent on a visit and know your child will be happily occupied.
It is a fantastic resource for a party or birthday theme. Most activities can be adapted for a group.

Share quality time with your child and have fun.
Ensure your child shares and learns family responsibilities and values.
Ensure your child feels proud to be playing with you and achieving skills of which you are both proud.
Ensure your child grows and learns in a healthy and well targeted play environment.
Limit the pressure and ensure learning through fun.
Encourage the language of learning and thinking.
Develop your child’s sense of self worth and the power to feel positive
Give your child the courage to state an opinion and share beliefs with you.
Allow your child the “childhood creativity” and exploration of make believe.
Support your child in learning to be sensitive to how others think.
Understand that a young child cheating, lying or making poor behaviour choices are part of developmental growth.
Feel comfortable in knowing that unconditional love also involves making firm boundaries.
Have confidence that grandparents, babysitters, teachers and other people significant to your child, use activities in keeping with your family ideals.

Build strong relationships with your child that will last a lifetime
Gain some great ideas that will support your child’s educational development
Ensure strong social skills for your child and perhaps provide skills to prevent social bullying!
Expand your repertoire of fun activities so that your family can adapt these for many future occasions- birthdays, theme parties, friends to play