This is cross-posted from Best Start, a First 5 LA intiative.
Playworks Los Angeles has some tips for parents who want to get their kids playing this summer. Playworks serves elementary schools near the Southeast LA, South LA and Metro LA Best Start Communities so every child has safe and healthy play every day.
They are partnering with Best Start to help promote our summer effort to “Get Out and Play!”. We’ll be sharing more creative games and tips for fun play from Playworks throughout the month on Twitter (@BestStartLA) and on Best Start’s Facebook page!
Play is essential to a child’s cognitive, social, language and motor development. Research on play concludes that play isn’t just fun; children literally can’t do without it (Brownlee, 1997). Playing with your child is not only great for them, but it relieves stress for you as well.
• Put on your sunscreen and enjoy one of Los Angeles’ public pools. Click here for fun water facilities throughout Los Angeles County, like the Atlantic Avenue Park pool in East Los Angeles, which offers Baby and Me Infant Pre-school Aquatics.
• Los Angeles has parks for everyone. Find a park, pack a healthy picnic lunch and enjoy the morning outside.
• Water cools down a hot summer day. Wet sponges can be squeezed, thrown or stepped on, and toddlers love to see the water appear! Use a wet sponge when playing Duck, Duck, Goose to cool down little heads.
• Sneak some learning into the fun. Play helps young children learn new words and the grammatical structure of language. “Simon Says” teaches body parts and listening skills.
• Play is a great way to bond with your child and create everlasting memories. Click here to find more game ideas.
What are some of the ways you like to play with your child outdoors? Share your games, stories and memories!
