What is play?

Play is about exploring things and ideas that bring us innate joy.

Play is not just for children its for us, and for teens as well. Play is for us all

Toddlers learn best through play and when it comes to supporting toddlers talking its more helpful when we follow their lead, in play.

At university I was taught that  play looked a certain way and developed in a certain way. I think most us  have an idea of what play in childhood SHOULD look like.  However, what we often see and accepts as play is often seen through the lens of neurotypical interaction and play.

We must remember play comes in all forms and explorations. We are all unique and play is unique for each of us.

Recognising your toddlers unique play preferences and following their lead can help boost their talking.

By embracing all play we can start shifting away from placing  expectations on the way that our toddlers  should play and what that play should look like. We can then start to follow their lead and understand their preferences, interests, and unique ways of engaging with the world.

Questions to ask, to help us embrace all types of play:

• What does play look like for you?

• What does play look like for your toddler?

Supporting your toddlers communication development through play is  one of the things I focus on in my bespoke one to one parent coaching and support. If you would like support on using play and following your toddlers lead to boost their talking, especially if they arnt yet using or don’t have many words. I would love to hear from you.

Steph