Why Do Young Children Need little kidspace®?
Studies have shown that young, developing minds think differently than older minds. These children need opportunities to explore without the fear of competition from older, more developed children. little kidspace® is designed just for them!It is a separate, developmentally appropriate area that allows safe exploration, while supporting the emerging sensory-motor, social-emotional, and cognitive capabilities of COSI’s youngest visitors and the grown-ups who nurture them. The little kidspace® team will help facilitate these interactions, and serve as resources on early childhood development.
As children age, they learn different things about themselves and the world around them using the same objects or situations used when younger. This is called layering, and can be found in little kidspace® when they return over time to play in the tree, build a house, and drive an ambulance.
Role of Play in Development
Play is vital in the lives of young children. Children begin pretending when they are around one year old, and the role-playing becomes more complex as they get older. Pretend play is the way young children bring the world to themselves on their own terms – the way they “try on” the lives of others.
Pretending is also the way they talk through and make sense of their life experiences. Don’t be surprised if you hear your own words repeated in their play! This pretend play is the first step toward developing empathy and an appreciation for the feelings of others.
Hang Out Room
What about the older siblings? The Hang Out Room is designed for the older children within your group to enjoy while your younger children are busy in little kidspace®. The Hang Out Room offers cool, engaging activities that are appropriate for their developmental levels in a safe, monitored atmosphere.
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Infants
Toddlers
Preschoolers