Play Time at Home

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Children with special needs enrolled in a preschool program need additional time for play at home. Play time should fill most of the child's day. A large space is not required for a child's play area, but it should be an area that is the child's space rather than just a corner next to the television, for example. It should be safe from possible hazards including loose wires or cords. It is also important that young children be able to play outside. If there is no yard adjacent to the child's home, going on walks or to local playgrounds or parks provides excellent opportunities for developing gross motor skills.

Young children should be around other young children. If a child has no siblings, parents should then be encouraged to invite other children of the same age to play. Play partners are important because they provide an opportunity for taking turns, sharing, cooperating, and stimulating dramatic play. Parents should avoid comparing children's abilities and should understand and accept unique developmental needs.

In addition to peer play partners, it is important that parents play with their child and want to do so. Children should know that the adults in their lives want to spend time with them doing what children want to do. Preschoolers enjoy imitating their parents and imitation is one way children learn. When parents play with their child, they should get down to the child's level: if the child is on the floor, the parents should be on the floor.

When children do not want to play with their parents, they often let them know by ignoring the parents, leaving the activity, or telling the parents to leave. Parents should not be offended or become upset when children do not want them as play partners. Instead, parents should respect the child's wishes but should remain available if the child later invites them to play or needs them to help resolve a problem or conflict.

It is also important for parents to allow their child to "hang out" with them while they perform daily chores or relax with a good book. Children imitate their parents' actions in play by re-creating them. This allows them to gradually become more advanced and competent in their play skills (Marzollo & Harper, 1972). Parents should let their children help them with chores. This enables children to observe what the parents are doing and learn how to manipulate the tools or necessary utensils. Parents must remember to use their good judgment. however. and make sure children are always safe.

Sometimes, adults do not approve of the way children play. They may take the opportunity to tell children how to use a toy "the right way" or what to draw with the crayons and paper. If adults find themselves doing this, they should find a way to interact with their children that is less judgmental and more supportive of the play. In choosing play items, children learn about making decisions at an early age, which helps to build positive self-esteem.

It is very important to provide children enough time to play. At most preschools, there typically is a daily routine allowing ample time for indoor play. Although it is also important for parents to provide their children with ample time to play throughout the day, it does not have to be all at one time. Parents should encourage their children to play throughout the day. Interruptions are inevitable, but parents should try to provide their children with a solid block of time reserved for play time. Parents should understand that time for play is needed just as there must be time for eating and resting. Children with special needs, though, often take longer to become involved in their play and need more time to actually play.