Play Matters: Play as a Therapeutic Modality-A Neurodevelopmental Perspective

Improving Lives through Play, from Infants to Teens
In a world of expanding and captivating technology, many children have limited opportunities to engage in traditional play and are often choosing more readily available electronic play. Traditional play taps into creativity, imagination, whole body movement, and problem solving in real-time, daily life experiences. When absorbed in electronic play, there is very little time to share and take turns, express personal creativity, and use symbolic and language play. There are less frequent opportunities to learn how their actions not only affect other people but also how others' actions affect them. Traditional play often involves physical dexterity, creativity, imagination, problem solving, and negotiating—traits that will be necessary to become economically independent as adults. A key factor for greater success in life includes the ability to take responsibility, organize, be curious, and learn to delay gratification. Traditional play is the "work" of childhood. In other words, play matters!

Using more than 40 years of experience and extensive resources, Catherine Schneider brings attendees a high-energy and exciting program that sees play as an essential therapeutic instrument for children with sensory challenges. Ms. Schneider shares the Foundational Skills Inventory, a tool to assist in the creation of a firm foundation for learning. Intrinsic motivation—a key element of play—may require facilitation, especially for children who do not know where to begin the process. Attendees learn to use the Foundational Skills Inventory, created by Ms. Schneider, to help discover areas of need when children do not naturally want to play. Parents and/or team members who know or have observed the child can utilize this tool and receive insight into areas that might be of concern. Attendees of this one-day seminar leave with the resources and strategies to enhance the lives of their younger clients.