All parents want to give their children a strong start in life, and each stage of a child’s development comes with new opportunities for exploration and learning about the world around them. Movement and play keep children healthy, build their coordination and strength, and help them learn important social-emotional skills such as communication, processing emotions, and flexible thinking. Play also provides opportunities to develop problem solving and coping skills, along with building confidence to try new things and make mistakes.
There are many creative ways to play, and it is beneficial to both parents and children when they spend time engaging in play and exploration together. Maggie Lancaster, CEO of Grand Rapids Children’s Museum; and Tomarra Richardson, Parent Liaison with the Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County are here to discuss. For more information, visit: www.successstartsearly.org, greatstartkent.org, and www.grcm.org.
