As children grow, they must learn to play with others, not just for sake of “getting along” but also because being able to interact with peers is an important part of becoming a successful learner. Sharing and taking turns are difficult lessons to master, but as children spend more time playing together, they begin to recognize each other’s feelings and advance from parallel play (playing along side other children) to cooperative play (playing with other children).
IDEA: Use your Kindermusik songs and activities from class to inspire some parent-child play at home. You can also encourage your child’s play by providing simple and developmentally appropriate play materials. Organize the items into labeled bins and place in easy reach on shelves or in the closet.
– Compiled by Theresa Case, M.Ed. Theresa’s Kindermusik program at Piano Central Studios in Greenville, South Carolina, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.