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Symposium offers guidance in child play as important to education
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[October 27, 2012]
Christian Child Care hosted a
symposium Oct. 18 on the "Importance of Play." More than 50 parents,
child-care providers and educators attended the event at Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Attendees learned how to incorporate more
free play into the daily lives of children and engaged in
discussion.
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 Coleen Moore, director of Christian Child Care, stated: "Over the
past 10 years, the playtime of children has decreased eight hours a
week."Allowing a child to engage in a free play period gives the
child an opportunity to learn basic social behaviors. Children learn
rules, games, sharing and manners through playing with other
children.
Dr. Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek, speaker in the video presentation,
emphasized that guided play can develop a child's thinking,
creative, language and social skills.
Moore discussed these concepts and further stated: "Children
learn the basics of math, reading and writing through play. A child
that is playing with blocks is actually learning geometry without
even knowing it."
After the video, a panel of community educators and
administrators discussed personal experiences with children and the
value of providing students with developmentally appropriate
classrooms.
"Those children that are permitted guided play throughout the
school day are less likely to engage in disruptive behavior," Moore
said. She went further, saying: "Recess is a good thing during the
school day. This play period gives children the chance to run around
and act like a kid."
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Moore's main purpose for hosting the symposium was to raise
awareness and spread the word about the significance of playtime.
On Nov. 5, Christian Child Care and the Happy Family Task Force
will host a meeting at Christian Child Care Center to educate more
people on the free play issue. Moore said all are welcome, and she
encourages those interested to come and ask questions.
The Christian Child Care Center is located at 721 Wyatt Ave. in
Lincoln; phone 217-732-5750.
[By HANNAH MICHALSEN]
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