The Science of Play

A Peak into the Every Day Life of an Early Intervention Therapist

As a speech-language pathologist who works in Early Intervention, a lot of my day consists of playing with children and coaching parents on how to better facilitate language. It may be believed that play is just a fun way for kids to pass time. But there is much more behind the nature of play-based learning than meets the eye! Children explore the world around them by using their senses. They do not know how to read, write, or process information like adults do. Children learn about their environment through the exploration of play by *seeing, hearing, and doing.* According to researchers, play-based learning is the number one way to enhance your child’s growth, learning, and development. Not only are their linguistic and cognitive benefits from play but also emotional, social, and physical. For example, the manipulation of toys, such as puzzles, shape sorters, and blocks, can potentially increase memory, improve focus, and better assist with attention. Picture books are also a great way to build vocabulary and improve cognitive function. Depending upon the age of your child, there are some toys that are more suitable than others. Typically toys without batteries, lights, and loud noises are best because they reduce external stimuli and allow for the use of imagination and creativity. The most important aspect of play-based learning is making sure that language concepts are embedded into the daily routine. When a child is playing, the family can use parallel talk and narration to describe their play behaviors and actions using short words, phrases, and target language. It is through play that children learn how to practice planning, understand how things work, problem-solve, and follow rules and directions.

While play is considered the “gold standard” of learning for a toddler, there are other things that families can do in order to increase communication, such as allowing them to help with daily activities of the home while incorporating target words and talking about what you are doing. It is also best to set up situations where your child can learn how to imitate actions and movements, like giving them a paper plate to replicate the same movements while washing the dishes or giving them a towel while you are dusting the house. Imitation of gestures, movements and motions is a prelinguistic skill to imitating sounds and words. This is why songs with movements and gestures are so educational.

When I work with families, my role is to coach and guide them how to play with their child in a way that supports communication and development. In Early Intervention, the model of therapy is based on embedding strategies into the daily routine of the family. This can occur during every-day activities, such as dressing, grooming, bathing, mealtime, and even driving in the car! There are so many opportunities to increase social communication and language.

It is also important to note that there are external stimuli that can inhibit language and take away from a child’s interest in play. Early exposure to technology, including tablets, phones, computers, and television does not allow for creativity of natural play and even language. It can over-stimulate their eyes and brains and make them addicted as they receive a type of sensory feedback that makes them want more. This is why children often have tantrums and cry when devices are taken away. Toddlers need to develop important play skills such as pretend play, parallel play, turn-taking, and learn how to engage in reciprocal activities, such as passing a ball or car back and forth with a play partner. When they are using technology and have a lot of access to screen time, they do not have the opportunity to develop these skills.

In essence, the encouragement of several types of play (even solitary) will always be beneficial for your child and help them to learn a variety of skills and capacities from a young age. And remember, it’s not just “play,” but rather an important way for those tiny little bodies to explore the world around them!

Be Well and Stay Playful!

Bianca <3