Making Play Possible with Easy AdaptATions early childhood development When we treat children’s play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that’s to be found in the creative spirit. It’s the things we play with and the people who helped us play that make a great difference in our lives.” - Fred Rogers Never underestimate the importance of play in child growth and development! Removing barriers and providing ac- cess to young children with differing abilities can expand play repertoires and opportunities to socialize. Whether working virtually or face to face, simple adaptations with easily found materials can make play experiences more meaningful. Find potential “barrier busters” in homes, Dollar Stores, hardware stores, and online by “looking at the world through AT colored glasses!”
amining how toys and materials “work”, discovering new ways to use materials, practicing and refining skills, and more. When children have difficulty playing or fully engaging with their en- vironment, valuable learning opportunities are missed. Play expands the imagination and impacts understanding of cause and effect, communication, and social engagement. Play pro- vides a foundation for the development of higher-level lan- guage and learning skills. However, children with disabilities may have different experiences with play which are often lim- ited by difficulty grasping, manipulating, exploring, or assem- bling play materials. Thus, how they play, play activities they
There is a direct correlation between childhood experi- ences and independence, attitudes, and success in adulthood. The learning that takes place in the early months of life and beyond through meaningful interaction with people and ob- jects during everyday activities and routines, including play, lays the foundation for understanding the world around us. The importance of play in child growth and development can- not be underestimated. According to Fred (Mr.) Rogers, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Play includes exploration using the senses, ex-
JUDITH SCHOONOVER, MEd, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA is an occupational therapist and former elemen - tary school teacher. She is certified as an assistive technology professional (ATP) by RESNA and was a founding member of the Loudoun County Public Schools Assistive Technology Team. Judith has provided direct services in schools for more than 44 years and is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker presenting on the topics of school-based occupational therapy, transition, literacy, and assistive technology. She has authored numerous articles, and chapters in Early Childhood: Occupational Therapy Services for Children Birth to Five, Occupational Therapy for Children (6th-8th eds.), Best Practices in School Occupa - tional Therapy, Assistive Technologies, and Occupational Therapy and Transitions: A Cross-System Perspec - tive. She participated in National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) workgroups addressing response to intervention (RTI), transition, and virtual schools. Currently, Judith represents AOTA on the National Joint Committee (NJC) for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities; she is a Strand Advisor for The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference and serves on the editorial board of the Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB) Journal.
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