What is a Play Session?
Play is a natural way for children to learn and grow.
Our play sessions allow children to develop their cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills. Play allows them to explore, learn to problem solve, build creativity, manage emotions and interact with others, all whilst having FUN!
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Play ranges from water play or sand play, to developing essential life skills in role play, being creative with playdough and small world play. There will always be a creative activity available, as well as lots of books to enjoy.
Water Play
Playing with water is an open ended activity which allows children to explore, use their imagination, make discoveries, solve problems and begin to develop an understanding of why and how things happen. Water play can allow children to release energy or stress. It may also allow them to relax.
Sand Play
Sand play can take place in two forms - wet or dry. The sand area will have one or the other, however at times you may find both are available. Sand is another open ended activity which helps to develop imagination and creativity. It helps to problem solve and
begin scientific exploration. Like many areas of play, it supports language and social development and fine motor skills.
Role Play
There will always be at least one form of role play area on offer, sometimes more. Role play helps to provide children with essential life skills. It allows children to problem solve, decision make, organise and execute ideas. Role play allows children to use their imagination and develop their language and communication skills.
Playdough
Playdough has huge benefits for developing fine motor skills and building muscles, which later supports writing skills. It allows children to develop their creativity and build their language and communications skills, especially when working with others.
Small World
Small world play takes place in many different variations. If a child is using their imagination and small toys or props then they are carrying out small world play. Children may re-enact real life scenarios or they may use their imagination to create their own. There will always be opportunities on offer for this at Where the Little Ones Play. Whilst imagination is enhanced here, so is their language development.
Paint and box modelling
Painting allows children to develop colour recognition, motor skills, concentration and patience. Box modelling allows children to be expressive. They will
need to be willing to have a go and persevere when they face challenges, but importantly they will feel a sense of achievement when they have completed their models. Children will be able to take their box models home to show off to friends and family.
Reading and Storytime
Whilst the children may not be able to read the books themselves, what better way to spend some quality time together than looking at a good book. A child who is read to every day has a much better vocabulary level than a child who is not. The more you read to a
child, the more they will absorb and use in future learning. Therefore each play session will end with a storytime.
