12 types of Play Based Care & Learning By Amber Greenwood
It is to be there and present with them to make them laugh and make them happy. It is a lesson I have learnt as a father and try to remind myself that the most important thing is to be available for my children and give them the time they need.” Charlie says the children have also been amazing fodder for his shows as well. “My own daughters have inspired me no end. I listen to them speak and find myself mimicking them with things like ‘Stop laughing’, ‘I didn’t mean that’, and ‘Don’t look at me’. It’s like I almost turn into a six year old,” he said with a laugh. For Charlie and his wife, making this life choice meant going backwards before they could go forwards. “I thought I would get work quickly but it took six months before it really got going. Now we are booked up for months in advance and it was the best decision we could have made,” said peninsula born Charlie. “Coming from Rosebud, I decided that when I did start doing parties. I would concentrate on the peninsula as there weren’t many performers who would travel down here. It was the best thing I did. Now I get to do gigs all over the place but the peninsula is my busiest. I got onto the MP Kids website and advertised and haven’t looked back. It has been incredible and everyone is so supportive.” These days Charlie does educational kinder sessions, gigs at schools, pubs, clubs and private parties but his favourite gig is hanging out with his children. “What I love about being a dad is just seeing them grow each day. The most important thing is seeing them smile and be happy and doing little things like day trips, holidays and taking them out on a little adventure. My six year old knows that I don't usually work on Mondays so we might go for a ride through the wetlands and do a scavenger hunt or go to the drive-in. My oldest daughter is 14 and she studies singing, dancing and acting. She is amazing and just enjoys doing her own thing,” said Charlie. For this father of two, the most important thing about being a parent is spending time together and being in the moment; a lesson it seems that being Charlie Silly pants has definitely taught him.
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Peninsula Kids – Summer 2018/19
As children grow and develop, their play evolves. Certain types of play are associated with, but not restricted to, specific ages. 1. Unoccupied - infant play, kicking, moving 2. Solitary - playing alone 3. Onlooker - watching other children 4. Cooperative - group play 5. Associative - children beginning to play together 6. Parallel - playing side by side 7. Constructive - building and creating 8. Physical - supports muscle development 9. Expressive - expressive feelings through play 10. Competitive - learning about fairness, rules, turns 11. Fantasy - imagining and thinking creatively 12. Digital - eye contact and attention Early Childhood Australia states that, "Young children’s play allows them to explore, identify, negotiate, take risks and create meaning. The intellectual and cognitive benefits of playing have been well documented. Children who engage in quality play experiences are more likely to have well-developed memory skills, language development, and are able to regulate their behaviour, leading to enhanced school adjustment and academic learning (Bodrova & Leong, 2005)." Overall PLAY is an amazing and fun way for your children to grow and learn while they are feeling safe and supported. Optima kids strives to provide a warm, caring, safe and nurturing environment with a play-based program of activities for children to explore while learning. Optima run three different care sessions, Monday to Friday 9.10- 10.30, 10.35-12.05 or do both 9.10 – 12.05 and on a Monday and Wednesday 9.10 - 2pm.
Amber has been working in Children Services since beginning her Mothers Craft diploma in 1998. She has also completed a post graduated certificate in Social Science Pre and Post-natal support. She now manages the occasional care at Optima. www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au References: Bodrova, E. & Leong, D. J. (2005). Uniquely preschool: What research tells us about the ways young children learn. Educational Leadership, 63(1), 44-47.