How Do Children Use Play Silks?
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Play silks can be used for years of valuable play from the newborn stage through upper elementary school.
A true open-ended material, a play silk can become anything your child imagines it to be. It is malleable and takes on so many forms of play. A play silk supports fine and gross motor skills, language development, sensory exploration and hours of creative play.
What is a Play Silk?
A play silk is a large silky piece of fabric that can be used for just about anything! They come in multiple sizes and colors.
How Children Use Play Silks at Various Ages:
Infants and Babies:
A play silk placed nearby makes a great ‘toy’ for an immobile baby. They will reach for it, pull the fabric, and feel the silk between their fingers. You can hang a play silk above your baby and he will benefit from watching it sway in the wind. Older babies and toddlers love to use play silks for peek-a-boo, which teaches them object permanence and makes a great way to connect with your little one.
Toddlers and Preschoolers:
Use for dress-ups, gross motor, and language development.
Toddlers and preschoolers will love using play silks instead of traditional ‘ dress-up costumes.’
A play silk can become any costume your child imagines. All you need are a few clothespins to hold them in place.
Play silks placed on the floor are great for gross motor development when your child needs to move!
Set your silk up in various ways and have your child crawl under, jump over, walk around, stand behind, etc. They are moving and you are supporting their language development with these directional words.
Play silks are wonderful for imaginary play. When spread out on the floor, I’ve seen children pretend the silk is the ocean, lava, or rolling hills of grass. A silk can become the forest floor, or anything your child can imagine.
Play silks can become a swaddle or a sling for a baby doll and a blanket to put in the baby doll’s bed.
Older Preschoolers and grade schoolers can make big and complicated forts using play silks and clips.
Did you know you can even take a play silk in the bathtub? It is a wonderful way to add color to your child’s bath without harsh chemicals. Just hang dry when finished.
The only time a play silk is just a play silk is when it is not in use.
The Uses of Play Silks are Infinite
Bonus?
Skip the wrapping paper on your next gift and wrap it in a play silk. Your child will thank you and so will the environment.
If you are a Lalo Play Box subscriber, you will find beautiful play silks inside the 0-12 week box and the 7-8 month box!
Also, love these giant silks and clips:
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If you want to create a home that is filled with play and creativity, the key is to let your child know how much you value the time and effort they spent playing.