- Author: Sue S. Manglallan
Preschoolers and toddlers are developing in many ways: physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Each child is different. Each learns in his or her own special way and his or her own particular pace. Some children may acquire certain capabilities earlier than their peers, but not be as skilled in other areas. It is not uncommon to find a child who is physically larger than many other children, but does not have the social abilities common to other children his or her own age. Or another child may excel in cognitive skills, but be less developed in large and small motor ability. These differences are normal and should not alarm parents.
Young children are learning an enormous amount of information and skills that contributes to their overall development. Much of this learning is through “play”. Play is natural for children and so important that some refer to play as children's work. Play can help children learn how to create, explore, solve problems, and begin to understand the concepts and skills they will need for school and future success.
Play has many forms and numerous benefits. The following are several ways that play contributes to young children's development:
Emotional Development
Play is a way to overcome emotional anxieties and stresses. Dramatic and pretend play can help a child work out fears and conflicts by pretending to be someone else.
Self-Esteem
Play is fun. When one is having fun, one feels good about oneself. Children who are actively engaged in fun play develop a positive view of their environment, the people around them, and themselves.
Motor Skills
There are many benefits to physical play. Active children doing playful activities are building both large and small muscles and coordination.
Intellectual Development Play can be a buffer to many ordinary, real-world consequences. Children can experiment, make mistakes and work on mastery of a skill without many of the pressures that may occur in other, less playful settings. This builds children's problem solving abilities and intellectual development.
Communication and Social Skills
Play even in infancy encourages communication. Think of an infant or toddler playing peek-a-boo or patty cake. Even if they don't yet have verbal skills, they are communicating their pleasure in the experience. As children grow older, play uses more and more social skills. Children learn to speak, listen, and communicate through these experiences.
It is important that young children have toys and materials that stimulate learning and discovery, but it is far more important that they have the help of caring adults who can encourage their play and learning.
brain development pic
- Author: Javier Miramontes
- Editor: Emily Harris
Third graders from around Fresno County are invited to the Fresno fairgrounds for Farm and Nutrition Day in April of each year to learn about the local agriculture community. They get to learn about topics including how cows are milked, how a tractor operates and what foods are grown in Fresno County.
At Farm and Nutrition Day, the UC CalFresh team put on a nutrition play incorporating the concepts of “Sometimes” foods and “Anytime” foods. What are “Sometimes” and “Anytime” Foods?
“Anytime” foods are the healthy foods we find on MyPlate such as carrots, string cheese, whole grain crackers, and strawberries.
“Sometimes” foods are the foods we want to limit in our diets because they contain too much fat, sodium or sugar. Some examples include soda, candy and chips.
In our play, the character Anytime Andy loves eating healthy foods and playing with his friends. His friend Sometimes Sal likes to bring cookies, candy, and chips for lunch but never has energy to play during recess. Throughout the play Anytime Andy helps to teach Sometimes Sal that instead of eating “sometimes” foods he should bring more “anytime” foods to give him energy throughout the day.
By the end of the play students learn the difference between “Anytime” and “Sometimes” foods and the importance of making healthy choices.
Special thanks to the Big Fresno Fair and the Fresno County Farm Bureau for their coordination of this fantastic event each year.
- Author: Russell D. Hill
On Thursday, January 21, 2010 Merced County 4-H recognized the years of effort our volunteers have put into Making the Best Better for the youth of Merced County. Volunteers and their guests were invited to attend a showing of Always, Patsy Cline at Playhouse Merced where we recognized those volunteers who have dedicated increments of 5 years to 4-H (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30). We also recognized a volunteer and a community member who have been instrumental to the successes we have achieved with the Rollo Spina Leader Award and the Tak Date Service Award.
Below, is a list of those we honored at this event:
- Author: Russell D. Hill
Merced County 4-H Youth Development Program would like to thank and recognize our volunteers dedication to youth in our community! As a 4-H Volunteer Leader, we would like to invite you to an evening at the theater! Please join us at Playhouse Merced on Thursday, January 21, 2010 to see the performance of “Always, Patsy Cline.” We hope that you can attend.
WHAT: Merced County 4-H Leaders’ Appreciation Night – Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
WHEN: Thursday, January 21, 2010. Program starts at 7:00 p.m., Play at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Playhouse Merced 452-B W. Main Street, Merced
RSVP: UCCE 4-H OFFICE – we would like reservations by Monday, January 18, 2010, although we will accept them as long as there is seating.
Due to the nature of this leaders' appreciation night we request your reservation to help in planning for this event. You can make your reservation by the UCCE 4-H office. We will be making and using a reservation list of attendees and not using tickets for this performance.