Inclusion Matters The Role of Adults in Play
Mar 8, 2021
Sandy Heidemann, an early childhood expert and author of seven books, dives into the vital role of adults in children's play. She emphasizes how adults can enrich play experiences as observers and facilitators, using strategies like parallel play and co-playing. Sandy shares insights on balancing guidance with children's creativity, encouraging imagination and storytelling. Personal anecdotes highlight the transformative power of adult engagement, showcasing how play can nurture development while also igniting joy.
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Stay Engaged in Children's Play
- Stay engaged during children's play rather than immediately doing other tasks.
- Your involvement helps children feel supported and allows you to better observe their learning and interactions.
Observe to Support Play Success
- Observe what children like, how they play, interact, and handle conflicts during play.
- Use observations to adjust the environment, add more popular toys, and support inclusion.
Lesson from the Phone Toy
- Sandy once observed children fighting over a popular phone toy and realized buying more was better than forcing share.
- This taught her how observing popular items helps avoid conflict and supports play success.