School-readiness through play
LINDEN – 'When you play with your children, you have to turn into a child yourself,' – Mind Moves Institute.
It’s that time of the year where parents are looking forward to getting their little ones ready for Grade 1.
The Northcliff Melville Times spoke to Carol Mofolo of Mind Moves Institute about school-readiness and how it happens. Mind Moves Institute deals with the development of babies, toddlers and children, among others.
Mofolo explained how getting children school-ready starts far beyond Grade R.
She gave an example of when children go through the stages of walking and they curiously open low cupboards in the kitchen, but what they’re actually doing is learning to grip a pen or pencil as well as sequencing skills.
While the above hardly seem related, Mofolo said a child has to use fine motor skills to grip the cupboard door to open it.
She further explained that if a parent were to move around the contents of the cupboard, their child would likely notice and scream in frustration because the sequence has been disturbed.
She said the mistake parents make is buying very fancy toys and tools for their children when there is a whole world out there for their child to explore.
While sitting at the Mind Moves Institute reception, Mofolo pointed out the window to the garden and said, “There are so many things that can stimulate a child’s brain from here to the gate.”
She said children learn through play and play can be seen as different experiences such as physical playing, playing music to children and having them walk barefoot outside to mention a few.
She said parents should do the best they can to expose their children to all sorts of sounds, smells and good touches as it stimulates their brains.
Mofolo emphasised that children need to play as much as possible before they go to school as well as during their schooling. She, however, warned that parents should watch what they say, do and what they expose their children to as it has bearing on their adult life.
“When you play with your children, you have to turn into a child yourself.”
Details: www.mindmoves.co.za
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