When children experience the attention of a loving adult they benefit from:
strong family relationships 6
increased self-esteem 5
higher levels of achievement in both school and in life 1
better behavior 4
We do not have all the answers nor are we perfect parents, but we have seen what research supports: when we spend time with our children, they are happier and are better behaved.
What the experts say about spending time with your children:
| In a long-term study of the Chicago Parent Centers, researchers found that parental involvement in their child's education influenced the level of long term success that the child would experience in school and in life. 1 | In a UK study, research
has shown that families that spend time engaged in "edutainment,"
defined as learning opportunities where children and families come together,
has a more profound effect on children's learning than schools. 2 |
|
| The NAEYC has found that learning
to read and write is critical to a child's success in school and in later
life. We live in a society with high standards for literacy and it is
essential and urgent to teach children to learn to read and write. The
NAEYC states, "Failing to give children literacy experiences until
they are school age can severely limit the reading and writing levels
they will ultimately attain."3 |
Researchers at the Institute
of Psychiatry found that regular reading with a parent contributed to
considerable improvements in disruptive and antisocial behavior among
5 and 6 year olds.4 |
Every PLAY WITH ME kit is designed to incorporate each of the eight multiple intelligences into a variety of activities to ensure that every child is interested in the activities, can find accomplishment with the activities, and is challenged to grow through the activities.
Dr. Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, recognized that all people are intelligent, but posess intelligences in different forms. His Theory of Multiple Intelligences explains his position on human intelligence. Dr. Gardner found that, through incorporation of all intelligences into an educational curriculum, children will have higher success rates in learning.7 His Theory of Multiple Intelligences is used in schools today. You can think of these intelligences as learning styles. The eight that he classified are:
| Linguistic | Word Smart | Reading and writing |
| Logical-mathematical | Math Smart | Mathematical, logical thinking and problem solving |
| Spatial intelligence | Picture Smart | Hands-on and visual |
| Bodily-kinesthetic | Body Smart | Action, high-energy and movement |
| Musical | Music Smart | Rhythm, poetry, and songs |
| Interpersonal | People Smart | Working with others, communicating effectively |
| Intrapersonal | Self Smart | Personal reflection, Knowing yourself, being responsible |
| Naturalist | Nature Smart | Having a love for and relating to the outdoors, animals, and plants |
The activities contained within PLAY WITH ME are designed to balance the development between Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, Spatial, Bodily-kinesthetic, Musical, as well as Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist awareness skills.
1. Reynolds, Arthur and Clements, Melissa, "Parental
Involvement and Children's School Success," in Patrikakou et al., School-Family
Partnerships: Promoting the Social, Emotional, and Academic Growth of Children.
New York: Teachers College Press, 2005
2. Winstanley, Carrie, "Family Learning 'Edutainment' and the Needs of
More Able Children," in TES Primary. July/August, 2001.
3. National Association for the Education of Young Children, "Learning
to REad and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children," in Young Children, July, 1998, 53 (4): 30-46.
4. Times, 2 September 2002.
5. ISPCC. ISPCC Parents Spending Quality Time With Your Children. Online.
Internet. ISPCC, Dublin, Ireland. <www.ispcc.ie/timetoget.htm>.
6. Nelson, Patricia Tanner. Building Strong Family Relationships. Online.
Internet. University of Deleware, Newark, DE. Access date: August 22, 2006 <www.ag.udel.edu/extension/fam/FM/issue/strongfamily.htm>.
7. Gardner, Dr. Howard, Frames of Mind: Theory of Multiple Intelligences,
1983.
