Experts, however, say there is a simpler, and less expensive, way to enhance your preschooler's development. And that's to let them play pretend - the good old fashioned way. Yes, you read that correctly.
Pretend play occurs when children use or do something to represent something else. Examples include pretending that a block is a car and zooming it around, whipping up a delicious meal with scraps of cardboard, or pretending to be someone else such as a doctor or a teacher.
"From experience, Singapore parents hardly view pretend play as important," said Lee Kong Meng, a senior speech therapist at the University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital.
"To them, they think it is better to let the child do other activities to hone their academic or literacy skills, such as reading or writing."
Recognising this worrying trend, NUH has organised a workshop to teach parents to play with their children (see below).
According to Lee, this form of play is a natural development for children. It begins at around 18 months of age, and peters out by around five years old.
Whether it is "driving" a cardboard box around or having a tea party with soft toys, pretend play helps hone development skills, such as creativity, logical thinking, language and communication skills, said Lee.
"It may seem like the child is just playing, but he's actually building the foundation for skills like language and literacy. If you only put the child in a reading programme but do not let him play, he may not get that kind of stimulation he needs to develop well," said Lee.
Play to learn and learn to play workshop
Date: April 16
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: NUHS Tower Block Level 1, Seminar Room (T01-01)
Fee/ Registration: S$20 per person; S$35 per couple. Registration required. Call 6515 2812 or email cdu@nuhs.edu.sg (please include your contact number).
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: NUHS Tower Block Level 1, Seminar Room (T01-01)
Fee/ Registration: S$20 per person; S$35 per couple. Registration required. Call 6515 2812 or email cdu@nuhs.edu.sg (please include your contact number).
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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