Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

WHILE Play implemented in school, homework and chores, have been identified as integral to the social development of children, professionals in the field of child development agree that children are not playing enough.

According to Dr. Maureen Samms-Vaughn, executive director of the Early Childhood Commission, play is an interactive process, which is essential to the cognitive development of children, as behaviour is learned.

"Playing doesn't mean just putting toys in front of your kids, it means actually playing with them, it is the interaction between the parent and the child during play that allows the child to learn new skills."

Understanding personality

It also assists the parent and child with understanding each other's personality as well as facilitates social interaction, as Samms-Vaughn explained.

"A child playing by himself or herself can discover new things, but guided discovery is likely to yield a more advanced development and improve emotional and social development."

Sandra McBayne, instructure for behavioural science in the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Counselling at the Northern Caribbean University agreed with Samms-Vaughn, and attested to the effects that limited land availability is having on children, as many live in apartments and do not have access to open, safe spaces.

"We don't have enough parks or spaces in the schools for them to play. The availability of the land space is limited and some schools have play fields that are far away, which they probably frequent once a week when they have P.E., which is not enough."

Emphasising the value of play on the physical health of children, McBayne said the types of toys children play with are also important such as playdough, which strengthens the finer muscles.

"Play helps in many areas such as control of anger. Instead of acting out, they can play games, which, they can exert all their emotions there and it also helps with discipline in the sense that in games, there are rules and they learn to obey. I frankly believe that if children played more, there would be less aggression and anger would be channelled into other areas," she said.

Participate in chores

Samms-Vaughn expressed the significance of parents allowing children to participate in chores as a means of team development. In addition to creating a sense of self, children will feel as though they are contributing to the home and that their input is valid.

"Chores are important as they teach a sense of responsibility and show that there are consequences for not meeting them. They also teach children how to portion time between work and play and show that both of these are part of normal life".

Samms-Vaughn told The Gleaner that problems arise when chores are not shared equally and in keeping with the stage and age of the child's development.

"Sometimes we ask young children to do chores such as cooking, we get a lot of burn injuries, from children who are given chores out of their ability."

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Anything you do, you must enjoy it - as activities or incentives to get the chores done

Live by example: If you are in the

kitchen cooking, let the children watch you or help with another chore.

A child participating in chores does not have to be separated from interaction. However that shouldn't be the only time for interaction. Specific times should be set for that which is not related to chores.

Track how much time is spent with the children, from the time you come home untill the children go to bed. See how many hours you spend with them and what you do. Is the child by itself or interacting?

Dinner time also provides time for interaction.

Many parents when they do this, realise how little time they actually spend interacting with their child.