Playing and Learning Steps
It may help to follow the steps on this page when you play and learn with your child.
Watch your child
Before you play and learn with your child, watch and listen to him. Find out what his
mood is. Look to see if he is:
- Relaxed or outgoing
- Withdrawn or not communicating
- Very excited and energetic
Use open circles of communication with your child
After you decide what mood your child is in:
- Approach him with words and actions that fit his mood
- Let him know you know how he feels
- Start playing with what interests him at the moment
Follow your child's lead
Be an assistant to your child as he plays:
- Let him direct the action of playing and learning
- This helps him to feel understood
- He will feel in control of what happens to him
Extend and expand play with your child
As you play, build on what your child is doing:
- Make encouraging comments
- This will help him talk about his ideas
- Ask questions about what is happening
- This helps his creative thinking
Have your child close the circle of communication
You open the circle of communication when you start playing and learning with your child. He closes the circle when he builds on things you say or do:
- He does this by reacting to what you say or do
- Many circles of communication are opened and closed when you play and learn
- This helps him to understand and use two-way communication
Next: Playing and Learning Ideas
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