Learning Through Play
The act of playing is an important tool that influences a child’s life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. Occupational therapists have expertise in evaluating children’s neurological, muscular, and emotional development; and determining the effects of infant and childhood illness on growth and
development.
What can an occupational therapist do?
■Evaluate a child’s motor (movement), cognitive (thinking, reasoning), social–emotional, and behavioral development.
■ Recommend toys and play activities that promote healthy development and provide stimulation to the child.
■ Intervene when needed to promote development and skills for living.
What can parents and families do?
■ Encourage exploratory play by using balls, sand
and water toys, slides, swings, finger paints, and magnets. During exploratory play, children use their senses as they explore, discover, examine, and organize their activities.
■ Try manipulative play by asking the child to per- form a task, such as stacking cereal boxes, slipping coins into a piggy bank, or playing with a deck of cards. Handling items such as puzzles, pegboards, beads, and lacing cards test the child’s eye and hand coordination and dexterity.
■ Suggest imaginative or symbolic play that includes role-playing, playing with dolls and stuffed animals, toy furniture, and telephones. This type of pretend play encourages good social skills and a positive self-image.
■ Choose toys that are appropriate for the child’s age. They do not have to be expensive or complicated to be beneficial to the child. Common objects, such as pots and pans, empty boxes, spools of thread, shoelaces, and wooden spoons can stimulate activity. The best toys require active participation.
■ Remember when choosing a toy to consider whether a child must be supervised while playing with it. Toys should not have small parts that break easily or can be swallowed.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are trained in helping children with a broad range of issues in addition to the development of play skills, such as self-care and social skills, and proper computer and backpack use.
® The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. www.aota.org
Occupational Therapy: Skills for the Job of Living Tips for Living
Recommended Toys and Activities for Children and Teens
Infants
■ Rattles ■ Mobiles ■ Playmats ■ Mirrors ■ Crib toys ■ Infant swings ■ Teething toys ■ Busy boxes ■ Squeeze toys
Toddlers and Preschoolers
■ Blocks ■ Stacking rings ■ Pegboards ■ Shape sorters ■ Push and pull toys ■ Balls ■ Books ■ Sand and water toys ■ Large beads ■ Movement games ■ Toy cars and trucks ■ Train sets ■ Musical toys
Copyright 2001 American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This page may be reproduced and distributed without prior written consent.
School-Aged and Middle-Schoolers
■ Blocks ■ Building sets ■ Books ■ Bicycles ■ Rollerskates ■ Ice skates ■ Board games ■ Checkers ■ Beginning sports
Adolescents
■ Athletics ■ Books ■ Hobbies ■ Crafts
■ Electronics
Need more information?
A child’s inability to play well could indicate another problem, such as a learning disability or behavioral problem. If you would like to consult an occupational therapist, your physician, other health professionals, and your school district's director of special education may have information on how you can access an occupational therapist in your area.
®
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. www.aota.org
Occupational Therapy: Skills for the Job of Living
Copyright 2001 American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This page may be reproduced and distributed without prior written consent.
