His games at every age. We should keep this in mind whenever we offer an activity to the little ones. Baby Jesus pediatricians give us useful advice on games suitable for newborns as well as older children.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousHis games at every age. We should keep this in mind whenever we offer an activity to the little ones. Baby Jesus pediatricians give us useful advice on games suitable for newborns as well as older children.
On the digital magazine of the well-known pediatric hospital in Rome, the new issue of "A scuola di salute" has been published, entitled "Playing is a serious thing!", A very interesting document, designed to explain to parents and teachers what the games recommended for different age groups.
First we explain that gaming is not just fun. As we know, this is the way children have to relate to the world and to others, developing senses and qualities. In short, an opportunity to grow that must be exploited to the fullest.
Pediatricians remind us that it is important that the proposed game is right for the age of the child, otherwise this activity instead of creating joy and fun (feelings that favor learning) can even generate frustration (think about the case in which you proposes a game that cannot be done as it is suitable for older children).
They also remind us that there are no boy's games and no girl's games, children do not have this kind of problems (which arise rather from the limitations and stereotypes of adults) and can easily pass, regardless of gender, from playing with machines to combing dolls, from cleaning and wearing make-up to disguising themselves as superheroes, etc.
There is no limit to imagination and fun. But what are the games suitable for the different ages of children?
Index
Babies
As soon as a child is born, he especially needs contact with his parents. Discovering the arms, the body, the face of mum and dad is in some way the game of the very little ones since it helps to form the relationship, reduce stress and activate cognitive development in the best possible way. As we read in the document:
"In the first months, keeping babies in contact with their body, for example by wearing them with an age-appropriate sling or baby carrier, promotes the regulation of vital functions, the reduction of stress and instinctual communication between the child and the parent. After the first months of life, the parent's body, with the help of a rigid mattress to be kept on the floor in the bedroom or living room, can become the gym on which the child can play. By climbing, pushing and rolling on the parent's body, children will progressively learn new movement skills: sitting, crawling, standing alone ".
From 4-6 months
From 4 months, or shortly after, depending on the development of the individual child, the little one begins to observe and touch objects, developing his 5 senses to the fullest. It is through this contact that he begins to know the world. The Montessori method proposes the "basket of treasures”, A basket full of captivating objects for the little ones (do not imagine who knows what strange games, these are common things as long as the shapes, colors and materials are different and can thus stimulate the children in different ways).
So you can make a treasure chest:
"You take a nice basket, made of cloth or wicker, and fill it with everyday household objects, choosing different materials, shapes and colors: a wooden kitchen spoon, a make-up brush, a bottle to fill with legumes, a toothbrush, a brush, a roll of duct tape. The child will be intrigued by objects because they are the ones he sees us interact with every day. The manipulation and contact with different materials will stimulate the development of motor skills and senses ".
Once the child has exhausted his interest in these objects and has explored them in every way, they can all be slowly replaced to make him progress in his discoveries. The alternative, for when you are away from home, is to prepare a "bag of treasures".
12-18 months
From the age of one, children begin to imitate the actions they see their parents and other reference adults take. They can simulate, for example, feeding or drinking a doll. In this age group, therefore, children simply need real objects to use and obviously adult supervision.
From 2 years old
Since this time, children have honed their skills and are able to simulate and pretend to be something they are not: superheroes, fairies, moms and dads, etc. This way of playing, said symbolic game, allows him to create endless adventures thanks to imagination and creativity. What may seem like a simple game is actually a fundamental experience for the cognitive, emotional and social development of children. In this way the little ones learn to know their potential, to communicate better and to get in touch with their emotions.
From 3 years
As children grow up they are able to create increasingly complex game plots and stories. They can dress up and become the protagonists of fantastic adventures or use puppets and characters to invent stories. There is therefore no need for much to keep them entertained. In fact, the child can play alone or with friends, finally creating friendships.
When choosing a game for your children, therefore, remember:
- the game must be suitable for the age of the child
- imagination is the main play tool for a child: the simpler and more neutral a game is, the more it will stimulate his creativity.
- do not limit the possibility of play of children according to the stereotypes of male and female but leave them free to deal with different activities regardless of their gender
The role of reading
Reading is important at all ages, even infants benefit from it as they are attracted to the parent's voice and the rhythm of the story while for older children, reading with mum and dad strengthens the relationship and improves language, learning and attention span.
Video games
How should we behave in the face of video games? According to experts, these should be proposed with caution and categorically after 6 years of age. The maximum exposure time to these games should not exceed 60 minutes and a parent should always supervise.
Read also:
- 10 ideas to create a treasure chest for children
- Montessori method: chores and housework according to age
- You don't need lots of toys - your baby prefers to imitate you by doing things for real
