The Importance of Play, concerning Children with Disabilities

Children who have disabilities tend to have different forms of play.  Different disabilities have different affects on how and when children decided to play.  According to “Children’s Play” the most widely known disability that can affect social and behavioral skills is Autism (2005).  Children with autism have a hard time engaging themselves in dramatic play and/or making up pretend roles for themselves or others.  It is hard for them to adapt to certain situations that involve change or the lack of a regular routine.  However, the same support system is required for children with or without a disability, because each child needs to learn how to solve problems with their peers.  There are many strategies parents or teachers can learn to do that will ease the transition from the classroom to inside or outside play activities with other children.

According to the website called, “Raising Children Network” some of the techniques are directed towards learning how to play for children with disabilities.  When children with disabilities learn to play well with his or her peers the relationships they create will be fun and long-lasting, gain more self-confidence, and enhancing social skills that involve communicating between other children (Raising Children’s Network, 2006).  The area a child needs to play has to be a wide and open space having plenty of space to move around freely.  When children with disabilities are in crowded areas, they tend to see distractions and become very emotional (depending on their type of disability or disorder).  

Teachers and parents can do a lot to help children during their transitioning phase.  According to “Raising Children Network” website teachers should “model the skills they are trying to pass along to the child” and should encourage them to participate in meaningful play they enjoy.  Children should be taught to relate play activities back to everyday living techniques so children can see the value in play and what it does for their development.

Works Cited

“Raising Children Network”.  (2006).  http://raisingchildren.net.au/children_with_disabilities/raising_children_with_disabilities.html

Naudeau, S., Ponte, I., Salonius-Pasternak, D., Scarlett, G.  2005.  Children’s Play.  Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA