Mod 4, Why Children Play

This module was a lot about the connection between the brain and how a child plays.  This module looked a several different things such as the most influential age of brain development in a child?  I found this graph to help illustrate how much a child's brain development is taking place within areas that are fostered through play.

From looking here you see that all three areas begin to develop before birth, and the most dramatic acceleration are during the child's first year of life, especially the "higher cognitive functions."  Sensory developed a lot quicker in the child's life than language and cognitive, however all are apart of the brains development. 

You see this chart play out in observation of children when you see the babies focusing in on what the see and hear, and then later in the toddler years they begin to pick up language and cognitive skills.  Language and congestive skills progress well into childhood and when the child is in school.  Play is how infants and toddlers learn these skills, games, songs, and dramatic play all foster these types of abilities in a child.  This is also a great tool to show much important play is in the early years for a child's brain development. 


*I found this chart at this website http://www.ndchildcare.org/providers/resources/growth-development.html along with many other helpful resources on this topic.  If you are looking to learn more please visit their site, they have a lot of useful information there!