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What is the Job of a Child?

It's simple, PLAY!
All we have to do as parents or caregivers is provide that opportunity.
 
Enter; Intentional Play. What the heck does that mean? To me, as a physical therapist, it means to provide the child the opportunity to complete their job. Playing and exploring their environment encourages them to develop through their own curiosity and interests. Intentional play is a child-led experience in which your only job is to be present and keep them safe.
 
For example, our children might explore where they are in space by climbing in and out of a pot or basket. As the person facilitating this, you recognize that they are learning about spatial awareness and you might set up the space so that the pot is on a carpeted surface in the middle of a room so when they fall out (because they will) they don't hit their head on the corner of the coffee table. Then you might say "Wow! You got IN the pot! Can you get OUT of the pot?" Try to avoid a statement like "that's not what a pot is for!".
 
In the first sentence you have bolstered their confidence and imagination by allowing them to be creative and explore. You also emphasized their exploration of spatial awareness. AMAZING
 
Also by standing back you have created an environment in which the child learned how to get in and out of that pot INDEPENDENTLY. So instead of you setting them in a pot (doing all the hard work for them) you promoted, strength, coordination, motor planning, active range of motion, balance, spatial awareness, transitions through developmental positions and likely crossing midline. GET IT MOMMA
 
So, to simplify,
 
intentional play is when the caregiver provides the least assistance possible for the child to safely complete their job.
 
It's very likely you are already doing this everyday! Keep it up! Be confident that you are doing everything your child needs to grow, develop, and learn.

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 *Is all of this making your head spin? 

*Looking for more support as a PT in the school setting? 

 
Let's set you up for success with The Ultimate Guide to School-Based Physical Therapy! Throughout this  course you will let go of the stress of all the intricacies that the niche lends and have you confidently walking into your day focusing on the things that really matter.  This is everything you need to know from efficient documentation, to productivity tips, scheduling hacks, downloadable done-for-you resources, a supportive community of therapists exactly where you are. As an added BONUS there are 10 exclusive webinars on some of the most asked about and common topics that come up in our day to day as School-Based Physical Therapists.

 

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