Alternative Consultation, Counseling & Training

Play is a child’s training ground

Parents and Teachers can Teach Productive Play

1. Be a role model. Many children have not learned taking turns, sharing, self advocacy. They do not always understand what you tell them, but remember what you show them.

2. Set the scene. Start off a pretend play situation by outlining a theme, roles the children can play, rules of the play and then allow them to continue. Tell them you’ll check back to see what they created. Setting a framework but encouraging creativity allows them to follow rules but be themselves.

3. Reinforce positive play skills whenever you see them. Kids will be inspired to copy what gets rewarded or attended to. Be creative in giving out rewards — stickers, badges, hand-made awards, use themes, fill an apple tree in the fall or flower pot in the spring!

A.C.C.T.

Brooks, Robert (1991) The Self Esteem Teacher. MN: American Guidance Service, Inc.

 Canfield, Hansen, Hawthorne &Shimoff. (1997) Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul. FL: Heath Communications.

 Canfield, Hansen, Hawthorne &Shimoff. (1996) Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul. FL: Heath Communications.

 Carlson, Richard. (1997) Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. New York: Hyperion.

 Davis, M., Eshelman, E.R., McKay, M. (2000) The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, 5^th Ed. CA: New Harbinger Publications.

 Emberley, Ed  & Miranda, Anne (1997) Glad Monster, Sad Monster. Little Brown & Co.

 Kranowitz, Carol Stock. (1998) The Out-of-Sync Child. New York: Berkley Publishing.

 Moser, Adolph (1991) Don’t Feed the Monster on Tuesdays, Don’t Pop Your Cork on Mondays, Don’t Rant and Rave on Wednesdays. KC, Mo: Landmark Editions.

Mayer, Mercer (2000) I was so Mad. Golden Books.