Play — children’s work
It is easy to look at children who have special needs through the lens of their disability and to be blind to other strengths and capabilities they may have.
In order to thrive, all children need nutritious food, physical fitness, a loving and supportive family, wonderful friends, meaningful fun and the hope of a bright future.
Children who are at risk or who have some developmental challenges even need these more to make up for what they miss.
Unfortunately, their situation is oftentimes aggravated by the apparent lack of these necessities. So much attention is paid to what they may be unable to do at the detriment of what they could benefit from to make life much easier and more comfortable.
Parents and caregivers must understand that there are several ways to adapt activities to create a fun learning environment where all children can build their confidence and their skills through play.
Children with special needs can play too, and deserve to play.
Play remains a powerful way of helping children grow, learn and bond with family and friends.
There is evidence that people learn best from activities that are joyful and which they can meaningfully connect to their lives.
Experiences that are actively engaging, allow testing concepts and are socially interactive also make learning easier. Interestingly, one game or activity alone cannot meet all these needs.
This is why children need lots of different kinds of play to gain the multiple benefits of play.
Children are naturally curious. Through play, they are offered the opportunity to explore their curiosity. And, as they do, their brains are stimulated and certain life skills are built.
Activities
When children with special needs engage in activities adapted for their abilities, just like all children, they gain a sense of accomplishment.
These experiences can also help them improve their communication and increase their independence.
Playing together with the adults in their lives also helps build the ‘parent-child’ bond while creating lasting memories together. This is important to build self-confidence and a sense of belonging.
Music and dancing activities can promote physical coordination, balance, emotional expression, communication and social connections.
This will mean adjusting the structure, equipment, or speed of the movement to create a fulfilling experience for children with special needs.
The goal is to introduce the child to both the musical instruments and the music itself.
By making certain accommodations, such as simplifying instructions and extending time limits, children with special needs can take part in action games as well.
Action games help children develop social skills, such as turn-taking, cooperation, and they learn the importance of following instructions.
Furthermore, these action games can enhance concentration and motor control because most of such games require one to be attentive.
Where possible, children with varying abilities can be paired and encouraged to work in a team to complete games.
Children learn the essence of tolerance and the value of teamwork when exposed this way.
Independent play – when children play by themselves while a parent is nearby – is also beneficial in helping children sharpen their decision-making skills.
They choose what crayon colours to use and sharpen their problem skills by resolving to paint specific structures with certain colours.
Adaptations in the play area that will ensure safety are necessary. Ensure that such areas are free from danger; mechanic shops where there are old vehicles parked, discarded ovens, refrigerators or deep freezers.
While grown-ups see play as a break or a putting-off of learning or serious work, according to Fred Rogers, play is serious learning. Play is actually the work of children —Jean Piaget.
The writer is a Child Development Expert/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA.
E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk