Playing and cognitive reinforcement in childhood – Theory

In light of international research, this volume explores the power of recreational activities, providing operational guidelines for structuring courses aimed at increasing school readiness.

Free time lived creatively through games allows for healthy and balanced growth. If the game/activity is integrated into the learning process, the child:

• increases his/her knowledge
• develops self-regulation
• acquires the meaning of things
• gains the ability to cooperate and deal with problems in different areas, developing original solutions.

On the basis of specialized literature, numerous activities suitable for children aged 3-6 are proposed, and a structured itinerary for cognitive and motivational enhancement–called «Fenix»–is given.  This itinerary has been experimented and successfully verified in different Italian and foreign contexts.

The study, presented by Play and Cognitive Enhancement in Childhood, proposes:

• in the first part: the educational value of play, its contribution to the healthy and balanced growth of children, its importance in today’s Western culture, and deepens the specific contributions of playful activity to the socio-emotional cognitive development of the child;
• in the second part, working indications for structuring programs that make use of play in order to favor the harmonious development of the cognitive and motivational processes of children

The book is accompanied by resources for creating these programs, which have been collected in the Play and Cognitive Enhancement in Childhood KIT: tried and tested by the author herself, Anna Maria Venera, and available separately.