The role of communication in preschool children's play

Abstract

All we do with children has a form of communication, not just words, but also the timbre of the voice, facial expression and body language. The way we communicate with children sends messages of respect, empathy and care, but it can also send the opposite messages. By actively listening to children, encouraging them to talk about their feelings, and using positive, descriptive language, we let children know they can confide in us. In addition, the way we communicate with others has an impact on teaching children to solve problems, to be selfaware and to know how to listen to other people. Children’s play and communication are closely related. Some experts describe children’s play as a social activity that represents a form of communication. Play has always been an integral part of children’s life and creativity as well as the basis of children’s development, their physical, intellectual and socio-emotional abilities. A child develops in a play and acquires the first concepts about himself / herself and his / her environment. Although lifestyles changed at various stages of social development, the play has remained an integral part of children’s activities in new social conditions. The play is the primary activity of a preschool child. In the game, a child communicates, expresses his / her feelings and relationships with the environment, the game enables them to actively participate in a social life. In the game, a child develops motor skills and his / her nervous system, enriches his / her vocabulary, expands his / her knowledge about the life and work of people, socializes and learns proper behavior in life. That is the reason why we can say that play affects the allround development of a child’s personality and that preschool institutions should pay a great attention to it.