title
| DISCOVER NEW STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING |
navbar About Us/ Contacts Order Page Training Therapists Parents Classroom Stories Homepage
parent and child

"Through the stories, interplay lets kids see things in a new light. He 'got it!' He really listened. I'd have to say that interplay also give parents an alternative way to say things and new ways to help their children deal with issues."
A. Mirrales - parent


Collaborating With Schools:

Parents have a vital role in their child's educational success. When parents understand and support a teacher's efforts, their child feels secure and clear about what she/he is learning at school. This is especially true when your child's class is doing Interplay.

Interplay focuses on the development of social, emotional and behavior skills and strategies. Children benefit most when these skills and strategies are practiced at home as well as in school. Try to learn about the topic of the Interplay unit and the phrases and skills being taught in the classroom, then you can reinforce this learning at home.

Family life will function more smoothly as your child learns better self-control and the social skills necessary for positive relationships with adults and other children. You will have many opportunities in the course of normal family life to reinforce the problem solving strategies being taught.

Using the Interplay Approach at Home:

General Principles:

1. Change takes Time.
2. Break learning down into small steps.
3. Support each small step your child takes in mastering a new skill.
4. Be positive! Children thrive when their efforts are noticed!

Interplay Strategies:

Here are some brief descriptions. Read 'Ready To Learn' for an in-depth explanation of these strategies.

Father and child sitting at the table.

Interplay involves the use of three main teaching strategies that help children master new skills:

Scaffolding:

In scaffolding, adults help children master new skills through a variety of supports. You have probably done lots of instances of scaffolding already.

When your child learned to ride a two-wheeler bike you may have walked along beside her holding the bike seat so she could maintain her balance. You also probably removed your hand as she began to get a sense of balance. Thus you were giving the minimum help necessary to achieve success and then gradually removing help as she mastered the task or skill. These are principles of scaffolding. We find that scaffolding is most useful when the task is slightly beyond what she could do on her own. Thus you probably started her learning to ride a bike when she was not yet able to do it on her own; but could succeed with your help.

To scaffold a task talk your children through the different steps and show how to do it using words and gestures to guide him. Don't just do the task for them; rather guide them so they feel like they have accomplished it themselves.

The opportunities for scaffolding in sports, art projects, cleaning and cooking, etc. are endless. You can help your child master new ideas and skills through scaffolding.

Reframing:

Reframing involves interpreting the motivation or meaning of a behavior in a positive manner. When we describe a shy child as thoughtful, or a stubborn child as independent, we are seeing our child's behavior in a positive light that helps our child avoid feelings of shame and embarrassment. If we criticize our child as lazy or defiant when he is taking a long time to do a task, he may become embarrassed or resentful. If we suggest instead, that he is slow because he's working on a very difficult task, he feels better about himself and is more willing to take our help. Reframing encourages children to welcome our support and guidance and see themselves more positively.

Storytelling:

People think about themselves and the world around them through stories. When we lecture children, they tune out. When we communicate with children through a story, they pay attention. Present your suggestions or advice within a story about you, as a child or someone you know, and your child will be intrigued and interested.

Children unconsciously create stories that show their sense of self and their view of what's possible for them. Help influence that inner story through the stories you tell them about their early life and what they've done. Look for opportunities to note examples of good qualities such as persistence, flexibility, and kindness. Highlight the positive and watch them become more hopeful and resilient!

Interplay stories can encourage your child to develop skills and overcome obstacles. Go to stories for titles of Interplay stories that can be ordered.