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Play to grow.

Prouduced by the Osservatorio Chicco

Play to grow.
n this guide the Osservatorio Chicco deals with the complex theme of the role of
play in the psychological, sensory and motor development of children and offers parents
information and practical advice, how to foster their childrens development, help them
become independent and satisfy their curiosity for the outside world, serenely and joyfully.

laying is not simply a pastime but it is the childs work, a pleasant and
rewarding work that involves him deeply, uses up all his energies and resources,
and favours the acquisition and consolidation of many new skills.
Moreover, it constitutes the first and main opportunity to build his personality,
exploring the relation with himself, with his emotions and the social context that
surrounds him.
Playing begins at birth, when the childs world is focused on exploring his body
and discovering himself and other things; it is progressively expanded through
the interaction with the environment and presence of objects that the child
explores and handles, thus learning how to play.

or this reason, toys boast an essential role and they are an important tool
for growth. Therefore, they must be chosen carefully, and they must always be
suitable to the stages of the psychophysical, cognitive and motor development
of the child.

From birth to
Visual
skills

Hearing
skills

months
Tactile
skills

ooking, eeling, ouching

The f irst stimuli that develop babys senses.


During the early weeks from birth, the surrounding environment is an essential source of
sensorial stimuli for the child, starting from his mums look and physical contact with her. He
is very interested in lively colours, sounds and objects that surround him. During this phase,
mobiles with colourful puppets to look at while moving, rotating the head, musical toys to
listen to, light objects easy to grasp, are ideal.

From
Relational
skills

Tactile
skills

to

months

Coordination
skills

uddling, queezing,

aressing.

A world of emotions to develop feelings.

The child experiments with his senses, manipulating, grasping and exploring rattle toys even
with the mouth, made of different materials and colours. He likes playing peek-a-boo with
family members, he is fond of a favourite object which he always carries with him.
He wants to communicate and starts interacting with his parents using repetitive sounds: this is
the perfect time to read an illustrated book together, to sing simple songs to him, and propose
talking and musical toys.

From
Cognitive
skills

to
Tactile
skills

rasping and

months

From
Musical
skills

Psycho-motor
skills

ropping,

ragging and

The path towards motor development.

rawling

His motor skills are getting more affirmed: this is the time to explore, crawl and to make
the first steps. He is fascinated in rolling toys, that move or that can be assembled and
disassembled, and allow him to experiment with the coordination of his gestures. Riding
toys are also essential, on which the child can sit, or climb, in order to help and support him
in his first motor activities.

Language
skills

to

months

Psycho-motor
skills

nderstanding,

alking,

alking.

The f irst steps to start exploring the world

The child is working on gradually perfecting his walking skills. As months go by, he is
more and more stable and coordinated, and he loves pulling or dragging his favourite
objects with him, during his discoveries. He is also learning how to leaf through and
look at illustrated books with more attention, and recognizes his image in the mirror
or in a photograph. He is also skilful in grasping the language sound, therefore it is the
ideal time to expose him to foreign languages, also through bilingual toys. He loves
trying to imitate adults activities and favours games that simulate the adults world.

From
Psycho-motor
skills

to
Imagination,
creativity and
inventiveness

Imagination,
creativity and
inventiveness

Psycho-motor
skills

oving, magining,

After

months

ommunicating.

Socialising

mitating,

months

Writing

reating, ocializing

The unstoppable journey towards independence.

The essential steps to express yourself.

He is more and more independent and is gradually able to coordinate movements also to
move around with a tricycle or use remote-controlled toy cars. He starts building the image
of himself and his identity. He loves being the protagonist of his games, preferring toys
that respond to his commands, like talking or interactive toys that allow him to express his
unstoppable desire to communicate.

He is developing his ability to imagine and use symbols to interpret, see and feel the world:
toys are therefore suggested that allow him to invent roles and actions. He starts to relate
with other children that catch his attention more and more; tastes and behaviours are
focusing on male or female models.

Did you know that


It is important for parents to accompany these important development stages with
toys suitable for the childs age and his progression.
It is also important for parents to share the play activities with the child
and to find time to play with him.
Playing together and observing the child while playing represents an opportunity to
get familiar with his skills and also his most profound feelings.
Playing together strengthens the bond between parents and child and helps in
establishing a positive loving relationship that boasts an extremely important role in
the happy growth of every child.
10

11

January 2013
Code 00 091019 800 020

Information, insighs and advice.


Visit us at www.chicco.com
Osservatorio Chicco Section

ARTSANA S.p.a. - Via Saldarini Catelli, 1 - 22070 Grandate (Co) Italy

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