6. "Mine!" "No!" "Gimme!" Familiar declarations to many parents. Play time is not always joy and laughter. It can often go from smiling and sharing to shouts and shoving in seconds flat. Just as young children are learning how to use their bodies, imagination, and language skills, they are also learning how to socialize. Sharing, cooperation, communication, and relating to others are all a part of learning social skills. As with other skills, young children need time and practice, as well as help from adults. And, just as children master skills at varying paces, so it goes with learning to play cooperatively. Some children take longer and need more help than others. And, for children who seem to avoid playing with peers altogether, it is especially important to create lots of opportunities for them to feel more comfortable with social interactions. I love to play with my friends...it makes me so excited to do things with another little person. Sometimes I get too excited and have trouble controlling my feelings. I want what I want when I want it! It helps me when you step in to guide me. When you offer me another toy to play with while my friend has the bear I really want, it helps me wait my turn. It also helps when you show us ways we can play with the cars together. When you're patient, it helps me learn to be patient, too, and it teaches me how to take small steps as I learn to make friends. For ideas and information during these challenging times, visit these other areas of our site: Cooperation Communication Relating to Others Frustration/Tantrums Self-Control The Terrible Two's 7. "One More Time!" Dad has just come home and is eager to play with his two-year-old, Marty. "What should we do?" Dad asks. Marty promptly brings to dad the farm animal puzzle they did together at least 10 times last night. Dad, squelching his heavy sigh says, "Okay, now where in the world does that silly zebra go?" and Marty, puffing up his chest with pride says "Right here!" While this desire to do things over and over again is not necessarily thrilling for moms and dads, it is for their young children. They are practicing in order to master a challenge. And when they can do it "All by myself!" they are rewarded with a powerful sense of their own competency, a feeling they like to recreate as often as possible. The more they practice and master new skills, the more likely they are to take on new challenges and the learning continues. So when you're tempted to hide that toy that you don't think you can stand playing with yet one more time, remember the essential role repetition plays in your child's development. (Anyway, once he realizes it's gone—which should take more than a day—he'll hound you 'till you give up the goods.) __________________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Gesendet von Yahoo! Mail - http://mail.yahoo.de >> Rayakan ultah putra/i Anda dengan kue Teletubbies dll! Klik, >http://www.indokado.com/kueultah.html >> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com Etika berinternet, email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
