Types of Play Your Child Needs, continued

Go exploring
How do kids experience the world? One way or the other, it's through their senses: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling. From that unforgettable moment of birth, throughout the early years of life and middle childhood, kids use their senses to explore and understand their enviroment. You can help by making sure your child has safe playthings she likes to look at, listen to, touch, taste or smell.

Use imagination
One of the great joys of playing is pretending. Starting between age one and two, kids will enjoy making objects "real" and acting out events. Favorite imaginative activities over the years may be dressing up, imitating people or animals, telling stories, or acting out everyday situations like going to the store, doctor visits, occupations, school, household chores, and visits to restaurants. Be prepared to serve as audience or actor in the many shows your creative little one may produce during childhood. Add a healthy dose of daily reading or story telling--starting from birth--and you'll be helping your child grow into a thinking, creative adult!

Play with friends
Play helps your child learn social skills. Whether with adults or other children, it's the way kids of all ages learn about sharing, taking turns, negotiating, following rules, solving conflicts, and compassion. Make sure your child has plenty of opportunity to play with friends starting when she is a toddler.

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