Recently, I was able to sit in with one of our Mentor Infant teachers and a family of a rising Early Toddler.  Boy! those walking E-babies can be tough.  There never seems to be enough resources or time in the day to stay ahead of them- just keeping up is a feat in itself.  Now, with a change in playing fields and ensuing testing of limits, teacher and parent joined forces in supporting one child's progress towards...  (well, that remains to be unfolded.)

At one point during our discussion, we talked about the role of the adult in preparing a safe, cognitively challenging, and emotionally nurturing environment.  oh- and how during the day your baby is with us, we do not "teach" play.  Rather, play is something that children innately do in a trusting and secure environment once their physical needs are met (short version). When the father looked up and asked, "I love playing with my child, but want to make sure I'm doing it right." I was left with a loss of words (hey- it happens).

I hope at some point in sharing what we know about child development, we did not overlook the importance of PLAY INTERACTIONS in raising self-confident babies.  A basic understanding of your child's developmental plane can help guide you in what is developmentally appropriate.  Also, asking yourself "Who's need is being met" before you engage helps.  If YOU are the one wanting to wrestle with your child, then...hmmm... maybe wait a few years when they can better understand body relations and control of movement.  But say your child wants to collect all the red balls and roll them back and forth to you , by all means- Play On.

Your play will change and develop and grow in complexity as your child does.  Janis Keyser's Becoming the Parent You Want to Be has been an invaluable tool in guiding us in our understanding in developmentally appropriate practices.  You'll also find useful tools on limit setting during the various stages.  Recently, I came across http://www.civitas.org.uk/hwu/fathers.php which was not only interesting, but also references RIE's keynote conference presenter, Bowlby.  

Even though we do not TEACH PLAY, we certainly enjoy participating in the activity with the children in our care.  Being included in a child's play is one of the most rewarding experiences of our profession and we certainly encourage all adults to get their PLAY ON!