SENIA 2016 @ ISKL

Plenty of research has shown that play is essential for all children’s healthy development and learning across all ages, domains, and cultures. Play enables children to make sense of their world. It develops social and cultural understandings; allows children to express their thoughts and feelings; fosters flexible and divergent thinking. It also provides opportunities to reason and solve real problems.

The purpose of this seminar is to present the parallels between language and play development. We will explore the early stages of basic functional play that evolves into pretend/symbolic play and role play just as simple vocalizations and words develop into narratives, and conversation. Implications for assessment and intervention will be covered.