Play and The Power of Words

For our first born son, 'play' became the critical instrument of language. The year was 1979. (His early arrival- 3 months prematurely- signalled a long journey towards language acquisition, proficiency and learning). ... I remember well his homecoming -two months later, one month ahead of his original due date. Here was this tiny, vulnerable human being-(5 pounds, 2 ounces)- requiring 24 hour care and intensive therapy, lasting five years. He was considered a high risk child, then, a candidate for special education, later. How could we help him ? An inner peace enveloped me that afternoon as I held him and gazed into his face and wondered, “What could we give him that would last a lifetime?” Then, I knew. It would be a ‘mind of his own’, the gift of the spoken word! 

Words, thoughts and ideas would give him the power and ability to make responsible choices for his long term health, life success and happiness. (Nothing or no one could match wits with the power of the human mind to defend itself).. (Today, he is 'Mall Cop's' dad, whose comedic transformation, from time to time, reminds me of Bob Hope, the greatest comedian of all of the last century)...

When we enter a child’s world of play, it is with reverence that we stay. There are no rules! We need only pay homage to this 'early adult' that stands before us, engaged in sounds and words, the result of the young burgeoning mind steeped in experiential learning. We listen and wait to be admitted into the magical world he has created. We are a part of the beginning of his thought process, a witness to his learning. When other children are present, we ask permission to join them. ... They are in charge. They must be for they are in the world of their own making. We are simply visitors to this special place. ... 

Language in ‘play’ is language in context. It is within these meaningful moments of the spoken word, aligned with movement, that children learn the valuable lessons of language and the power they wield!. Basic fundamentals of language begin with these special spontaneous moments from which noises and human sounds emanate. From there we have words, phrases, then complete thoughts. We set the course. The modelling of language begins here. ...

At-risk children require a more direct, concerted approach to the building of their vocabulary, a major component to language acquisition. (It is critical that words are spoken not how they are spoken.) The 'putting of words into their mouths' creates a unique path to learning and helps to introduce them to foreign words of all types. 

This physical act of pronouncing new words is not an easy task, but a task, nonetheless, and an important learning step. It is a form of brain re-structuring, the result of brain use when new/foreign words are heard, then spoken. Here, the auditory sense is stimulated as it would be in music. ... Allowing our child the freedom to explore during play and in his surroundings assists in the building of his short term and long term memory/vocabulary and the scaffolding of language. The tools of this early language delivery system is helped by engaging with other children, using wooden blocks/ Lego, music, large crayons, paper, the hands, questions, Mother Nature and a caring adult- the greatest toy ever devised. ..("Caring for/ "Life of a Preemie"-07/08-2012,"Speech Therapy"-06-2012 and "Special Education"-04-2012)

Play is an instrument of thinking, learning, quiet introspection and having fun. It is a fundamental, concrete component in this childhood journey towards language acquisition, lifelong learning and mental health. Children learn from each other all the time and sometimes, the greatest lessons are gleaned from this unique interaction with one another. When children vocalize later than expected, is it  because they are too busy watching, listening and doing?  We must be patient. ... For it is play, this very powerful mechanism of learning about life and other children that helps unleash the creativity and the power of the spoken word within each child. There is no substitution for that!
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