So this explains why my daughter’s favourite thing to do, apart from reading her books, is talking on her cel phone! Teehee. (Did I mention she’s just one.)
Here’s the story.
Thomas Lee brings his three year old daughter Cameron to this play area regularly.
“It’s important for them to socialize, they have to learn how to compete and they learn different skills from each other.”
Skills that will benefit them in the long run, says child development expert Doctor Kathleen Alfano.
“It’s so important for kids to play because that’s how they learn about the world, that’s how they learn about themselves, it’s also how they learn how to get along with other children and other people.”
And babies start playing as early as 2 months of age, but parents may not know it. It starts with discovery.
Dr. Alfano says, “the first thing they do when they play is find out how things work- what happens when I push this button, what happens when I put this block inside something?”
And then imagination.
“They start out by imitating – imitating what they see mom and dad doing,” says Alfano.
And as children become more dextrous, playing is about thinking and manipulation.
“Starting to build – when they may put things on top of each other, shape sorting comes with this, building with blocks comes with this,” explains Alfano.
Then when the children are two or three they just want to learn, says Alfano.
“They’re interested in learning what letter their name begins with, interested what colour the apple is.”
This is why Alfano recommends you have the right kind of toy for your child.
“Making sure it’s an age appropriate toy, that it’s made by a good reputable toy company, that it has all the regulations -you’ll see that on the package- and that it’s kept in good repair.”
Cameron has lots of toys. But she still loves coming to “Coffee and Scream.”