Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Playing looks like fun, but it's also important work!

Playing

Playing Teaches Early Literacy!

"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." -Fred Rogers

How Can Playing Develop Early Literacy Skills?

  • Play is simply the best way for children to learn language, literacy, social, and other skills. It also nurtures creativity.

  • Play helps children think symbolically (one thing can stand for another): a box becomes a car, a playmate is a firefighter, etc. This will help them understand that written words stand for real objects and experiences.

  • Children develop thinking and oral language skills: as they play store or pretend to be animals, they talk about what they are doing. They are practicing putting their thoughts into words.

  • When children make up stories for what they're doing (dramatic play) they learn narrative skills. For example, stories happen in an order: first, next, last.

  • Make-believe allows children to act out real situations, work through worries and fears, and solve problems using their imaginations.

  • Play builds self-confidence and imparts a sense of accomplishment in children. This motivates them to try new experiences and not give up when things are difficult.

What Kind of Play?

You are your child's first and favorite playmate! Your child learns something new through each interaction with you.How kids play changes as they grow.

  • How children play will change as they grow. It is normal for babies and young toddlers to play alongside rather than with each other, for example. To learn more about the typical development of play, see: The Power of Play in Child Development and The Development of Play Skills from Birth to 3.

  • Let them lead: give your child the freedom they need to explore items and do activities in their own way, at their own pace. Show them one way to interact with a toy, but allow them to find other ways too.

  • Respond to their signals: paying attention to your child's expressions and gestures will help you know when you need to change activities or offer assistance. You want to provide just enough help so they don't get frustrated, which will motivate them to keep trying.

  • Play it again: Repeating the same game or activity over and over again may bore you, but your child is practicing in order to gain mastery of new skills. Encourage them in their efforts to do it "All by myself!"

  • Adapt to meet their needs: Giving your child a place to play in that is safe to explore will ensure fewer "No"s and more smiles. Pay attention to their cues – some children like lots of sensory stimulation, and others may want to focus on one thing at a time.

  • Remember that the best kind of play is often unstructured. Don't pressure yourself or your child; simply enjoy your time together.

Putting it into Action

Here are several examples of using Play to help build early literacy skills:A simple color sorter

  • Play matching and sorting games! As children notice what is alike or different, they will be prepared to understand the distinctions between letters.

  • Play with blocks – it builds motor, math, and science skills by providing opportunities for sorting, categorizing, building, and knocking down.

  • Use puppets or other props for dramatic play. Acting out the story of a favorite book builds narrative skills.

  • Involve all their senses: Go on a scavenger hunt for items of different colors, different textures, etc. This kind of sensory play will expand your child's knowledge of their world as you talk about what they're exploring.

  • Add print to pretend play: suggest that your child write prescriptions if they're playing doctor, menus for a restaurant, prices for a store, etc.

Sources:

Saroj Ghoting
Every Child Ready to Read 2nd Edition
The Power of Play in Child Development
The Development of Play Skills from Birth to 3

Preschool Events
Tue, Oct 08, 10:15am - 11:00am
St. John - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Tue, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 08, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 08, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Thu, Oct 10, 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Munster - Children's Program Room

Sat, Oct 12, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Oct 12, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Merrillville Library - South Parking Lot

Tue, Oct 15, 10:15am - 11:00am
St. John - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 15, 10:15am - 10:45am
Munster - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Tue, Oct 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 15, 11:00am - 11:30am
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 15, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 15, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 15, 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Wed, Oct 16, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A

Wed, Oct 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hobart Community Center - 111 E Old Ridge Rd, Hobart, IN 46342

Thu, Oct 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room

Thu, Oct 17, 10:30am - 11:15am
Highland - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Rescheduled
Thu, Oct 17, 11:00am - 11:30am
New date Friday, October 25, 11:00am - 11:30am
Hobart

Thu, Oct 17, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Fri, Oct 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Sat, Oct 19, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Lower Level

Mon, Oct 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Oct 21, 10:30am - 11:30am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Oct 21, 5:30pm - 6:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 22, 10:15am - 11:00am
St. John - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:15am
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:15am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 22, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 22, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 22, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A,Meeting Room B,Meeting Room C,Meeting Room D

Wed, Oct 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 23, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Thu, Oct 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Hobart - Children's Program Room
This event is full

Thu, Oct 24, 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Munster - Children's Program Room

Thu, Oct 24, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Thu, Oct 24, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Fri, Oct 25, 11:00am - 11:30am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Fri, Oct 25, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart Branch Library - Children's Area

Mon, Oct 28, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Oct 28, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Mon, Oct 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Tue, Oct 29, 10:15am - 11:00am
St. John - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 29, 10:30am - 10:50am
Dyer-Schererville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 29, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Tue, Nov 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Nov 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Nov 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Tue, Nov 05, 11:30am - 12:15pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Nov 05, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Nov 05, 12:00pm - 12:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Nov 06, 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room

Family Events
Wed, Oct 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room

Sat, Oct 12, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Oct 12, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Merrillville Library - South Parking Lot

Sat, Oct 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room

Wed, Oct 16, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A

Wed, Oct 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hobart Community Center - 111 E Old Ridge Rd, Hobart, IN 46342

Fri, Oct 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Sat, Oct 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville Branch - Children's Area

Sat, Oct 19, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Lower Level

Sat, Oct 19, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Sat, Oct 19, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland - Children's Programming Room
This event is full

Tue, Oct 22, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A,Meeting Room B,Meeting Room C,Meeting Room D

Wed, Oct 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Wed, Oct 23, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Oct 26, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Mon, Oct 28, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room

Tue, Oct 29, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
This event is full

Cancelled
Wed, Oct 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville

Thu, Oct 31, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Mon, Nov 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)

Tue, Nov 05, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room