First Class Education and Care is a relational childcare centre in Bethlehem with an emphasis on creative/performing arts. Parents love our peaceful and nurturing toddlers unit. We care for children 6 mths – 5 yrs.
Visit www.firstclass.school.nz
How Playing the ‘What If?’ Game Can Keep Your Preschooler Safe
We spend a lot of time asking young children to listen carefully and to follow instructions. This is appropriate when they are very young, but as they begin to approach school-age it is equally important that we teach them how to think for themselves.
A great way to do this is to play the ‘What If?’ game with your child.
The ‘What If? game is an easy and fun way to teach your child problem-solving and to anticipate tricky situations they may face when they are away from you.
How It Works
The way it works is very simple. You simply present your child with a hypothetical situation and help them to think through what they could do in response to that situation.
For example, you might ask your child:
What if I don’t arrive to pick you up after school at the normal time? What would you do?
What if you hurt yourself in the playground? Who would you talk to?
What if you felt sick at school? What could you do?
What if someone you don’t know asks you to get into their car?
Asking these questions helps your child to prepare in advance for how they might cope with an unexpected situation. It also gives you the chance to educate your child in what you would want them to do.
‘What If’ In Action
My 8 year old grandson recently travelled alone on a bus from Whakatane to stay with me for a while during the school holidays. As I was dropping him to the bus for his return trip home I decided to play the ‘What If?’ game with him.
“What if Mum was not there to pick you up from the bus? What would you do?”, I asked.
He replied, “I would go and look at the boats.”
Not quite what I had in mind!
Playing this game gave us the chance to talk it through and I said that if Mum wasn’t there he should stay exactly where the bus dropped him off so that she would know where to find him.
As it turned out, his Mum was held up and was a few minutes late to pick him up so this conversation was well-timed!
Problem Solving for Primary School
The most important skill your preschooler needs to take to primary school is basic self-management. This lays the foundation for all other learning and development. The ‘What If?’ game is a great way to hone this skill and it will also help your child learn the art of problem-solving and self-responsiblity.
Not bad for a simple little game right?
Diana Bailey | Head Teacher
First Class Education and Care
VISIT FIRST CLASS EDUCATION AND CARE
First Class Education and Care is a relational childcare centre in Bethlehem with an emphasis on creative/performing arts. Parents love our peaceful and nurturing toddlers unit. We care for children aged 6 months – 5 years.
When you visit First Class Education and Care you’ll find happy children in a nurturing environment, enjoying genuine relationships with caring teachers who facilitate creative play and quality learning experiences.
