San Jose, CA (PRWEB) November 5, 2005
"Playtime is important to your child’s development," say children’s authors Susan Taylor Brown and Toni Buzzeo. "And playtime with a parent can be the most important play of all."
In addition to being fun and helping your child grow, playtime gives a parent the opportunity to observe their child for any behavior changes that might signal a problem that needs further investigation. Therapists, developmental specialists, and child welfare groups use various aspects of play to gain useful information about a child’s mental, physical, and emotional state, especially after a traumatic event.
Brown and Buzzeo, who have each authored picture books about parent-child play, offer an easy-to-use list of ten reasons, and ways, to play with the children in your life.
1. Play is your child's job. Your job is to provide stimulating experiences for him to explore. Help him as he learns to navigate the world around him and the worth within him.
2. Play strengthens the emotional bond between parent and child. Since play is a child's "work," participate in that play and let your child know that you value what is most important to him.
3. Adult work is child's play. What seems like work to you (doing the dishes, pulling weeds) can become play by doing it lightheartedly with your child. Make it a game and chore time becomes playtime.
4. Play is fun. Children know this instinctively, but as adults we've often forgotten. Be silly! Have some fun!
5. Play is healthy. Engage in play that involves vigorous physical activity or is deeply relaxing for a healthier child and a healthier you.
6. Play encourages social skills. As you play with your child, teach him fairness, sharing, team-spirit and other positive social behaviors he will then practice when he plays with others.
7. Play encourages exploration and creativity. Boost your child's opportunity to use complex thinking skills, solve problems, and invent solutions.
8. Play with a parent builds self-confidence. Let him teach you, for a change, and watch his confidence soar.
9. Play helps your child to discover his or her passions. We often love what we do best or are most interested in. Increase your child's chances of discovering those passions by engaging in a variety of play.
10. Play celebrates the short time our children are young. Don’t let the fleeting days rush by without a little bit of fun together!
About Susan Taylor Brown
Susan is the author of the children's books including the picture book Can I Pray with my Eyes Open?(Hyperion, 1999) Her latest picture book, Oliver's Must-do List (Boyds Mills Press, 2005 - ISBN 1590781988) highlights the fun a parent and child can have at playtime. Kirkus declared, "Cobwebs, dishes and shopping will wait - children will only be children for a short while. Adorable . . . a heartwarmer." Young Adult and Kids Book Central said, "A wonderful reminder to take a break for fun time, snuggle time, wish-upon-a-star time. Be sure to clear a spot on the fridge for pint-sized must-do lists before reading this book!"
Susan has served on the faculty for the Highlights Foundation Chautauqua Conference in Chautauqua New York and the Jack London Writing Conference in San Francisco. She was the Writer-in-Residence for San Jose Community School, made possible by a grant from the Arts Council of Silicon Valley. She was born in Concord, California and has lived in Virginia and New Orleans, Louisiana. Today she lives in San Jose, California with her husband, her dog, and over 5,000 books.
Visit her website: http://www.susantaylorbrown.com
Contact:
Susan Taylor Brown
(408) 515-4695
4770 Harwood Road
San Jose, CA 95124
About Toni Buzzeo
Toni Buzzeo is the author of several children’s picture books including Ready or Not, Dawdle Ducklin (Dial – ISBN 0803729596). Toni is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries, and conferences. Publisher's Weekly says, ". . .Dawdle Duckling is up to his old tricks. Scenes of the hero's friends attempting to obscure the hero from his mother's view during hide-and-see will have readers chortling."
In addition to writing for children, Toni writes professional books for library media specialists and teachers to help connect children's literature to the classroom curriculum. Toni is also an award-winning children's librarian and book reviewer for Children’s Book Review and AudioFile Magazine. She lives in a colonial farmhouse in Buxton, Maine, on the remaining 35 acres of an old farm.
Visit her homepage:
Contact:
Toni Buzzeo
(207)929-6896
59 Back Nippin Road
Buxton, ME 04093
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