Today we spent another great day at home.
Two of Connie's little friends came over for a play date, which was lovely (and also loud).
We decided to get out ALL OF THE TOYS and the lounge was taken over by toddlers. It's always a bit mad when Connie has her friends over, but it's so worth while, as it has such a positive impact on her developmentally. Bella loves it too - well, what five year old wouldn't like having a mini adoring fan club?
It's so heart warming to see Connie playing alongside and interacting with children her own age. It's so much easier to see her as an individual when she is with her friends, and makes me to realise how much she has grown and changed since we brought her home 20 months ago!
Because of the impact that interaction between children of a similar age has on early development, I try to arrange a play date for Connie at least twice a week, whether we are going to a friend's house, having friends over or attending a group/children's centre. It is so important for children to share experiences with other children who are at roughly the same age.
Here are a few of the reasons why I try to keep Connie's diary full...
Language - Connie listens to the words that the children around her have already picked up and copies them. She seems to enjoy learning from her friends far more than learning her vocabulary from me!
Language - being in a different place or having another child at our house, gives Connie and I a new context and more things to talk about, which helps me to extend her vocabulary while she is playing or observing other children play. She also hears new words and accents when observing other parents.
Language - having a shared experience means that we both have something to talk about, to tell Bella about when she gets home from school. Connie always gets excited when Bella asks her what she got up to - and then we have lots of fun trying to describe all of the fun things we have seen and done.
Making relationships - Connie loves to sit back and watch what her friends are doing. I don't worry if she doesn't join in, because she is still learning. Usually she will copy what she has seen later on in the day, and then will feel confident to join in the next time.
Making relationships/Managing feelings and behaviour - Connie is now learning to play happily next to other children. When this involves turn taking, she is having to learn to manage her feelings and behaviour (which we are finding tricky at the moment). She is having to learn that not every toy belongs to her and that sometimes she has to share hers.
Making relationships - Connie has started to look for familiar faces at play groups. She knows different children by name and gets excited when she sees and greets them.
Managing feelings and behaviour - spending time with children has helped Connie to gain an awareness of the feelings of others. If someone looks sad, she comforts them by trying to give them a hug - often rugby tackling them in the process and causing an accidental face plant to the floor.
Observation - as previously mentioned, Connie will often watch her friends as they play. She frequently used what she has seen in order to make connections and adapt what she does and make it better in her own little way.
Tiredness - by the end if a play date, Connie is often exhausted after all of the learning and fun, so it's straight down for a nap and coffee time for Mummy!
I could go on to list far more of the befits of planning opportunities for children to play alongside others. I haven't even touched upon the impact it can have on the parent's wellbeing, and the positive impact that it can have on the parent/child relationship.
One thing about play dates though, is that they don't just tire out the child - so I will have to save the rest of that blog for another day, for I can hear my bed calling me!
We finished off the day by getting out the Deliciously Ella cookbook, and making mint choc-chip smoothies (Bella is having friend over for a sleepover and it was the only 'fun' activity I could think of that didn't require too much clearing up).
Overall it's been a pretty successful day. Every one is asleep and I will soon follow.
Money spent - £1.00 (one avocado and a banana for smoothie)
Coffees required - two big ones
Bella's review - haven't asked her yet as she was too busy playing and slurping smoothie.
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