First off, allowing pretend play to be fun and not work is important to know for those students who come into the childcare center because then they will …show more content…
This will help teachers get to know their students better. It will also encourage the student to want to play, learn, and have fun, all while the teacher is watching and following what the child does. “Sarah is learning how to pretend. But Sarah enjoys playing with her mom and pays attention to her mom’s actions. She is motivated to play and has fun because Mom uses toys Sarah loves, copies Sarah’s actions, and responds to Sarah’s interest. We call this “Following Your Child’s Lead.” Following your child’s lead means responding with interest to what your child is doing. When you Follow Your Child’s Lead, the play is naturally fun because you are using your child’s interests and playing in a way he or she enjoys…child’s lead and use the child’s interest are referred to as “Naturalistic…” “Interventions using ‘naturalistic’ methods may prove more effective in improving play outcomes for children with autism….Several studies…found that it helps children with autism play in more advanced ways and use a greater variety of play actions.” Every lab day, when children are allowed to play with any toy that is available to them, and they go to it, teachers should use the method of “Following Your Child’s Lead” in order to be able to interact and play how the child sees fit, which is seen as a