Let's Go, My Friend Pup

Developmental Benefits

Imitative Play

Independent Play

Role Play

Developmental Benefits

Let's Go, My Friend Pup

Copying observed action encourages social and emotional skills.
Imitation begins very early in an infant’s life. Young children learn socially from older children and adults by copying them. Imitative play is a fundamental part of learning; young children watch adults and then copy them extensively. Throughout their early years children are learning to adapt to the cultural world into which they have been born. Imitative play allows children to experiment with the cultural tools and behaviour that they have observed. Children try to use laptops, phones and any other electronic device available to them because they have seen adults using and interacting with these devices. Young children’s manual dexterity and hand and eye coordination is well adapted for using mobile phones and other devices. Children can benefit from having replica items available, such as an infant laptop or an imitation mobile phone. These electronic items can enhance manual skills, hand and eye coordination and spatial skills.
Imitative play requires children to observe and copy other’s behaviour. Sometimes children watch another child performing an action but don’t copy the action immediately. Lots of imitative play occurred in our nursery school study where we observed children playing with VTech toys. Children learn through observing and copying others. Young children watch other children and observe the consequences of actions without having to perform the actions themselves. This can help with social and also motor skills. A young child in our nursery study watched another child press a button on a toy to play some music and then jig up and down. After wandering off the young child who had observed the jigging returned to the toy pressed the button and began to jig up and down to the music. Children learn from each other as they play. Imitative play allows for lots of repetition which is also a valuable learning activity.

Games and voice prompts allow children to control the pace.
Early play in infants tends to be solitary or takes place alongside other children. Young children learn how to interact with other children through play but they can also explore and learn independently. The initial play experience for infants is when they begin to explore through moving and acting upon the world. Many toys offer infants the opportunity to learn more about their world. Young children will sometimes act out some aspect of their lives e.g. going to the shops and then they involve their toys in these activities. These young children are playing independently but they are also reinforcing their understanding of the social world by acting out scenarios.
Young children can consolidate their existing skills by repeating actions whilst playing a game. Learning to play independently has its benefits, for instance, children using an educational game can control their own pace. Children sometimes choose to work independently in order to build up their confidence. Toys and computer games that facilitate independent activity at the right level for the child enhance problem solving skills and increase hand and eye coordination. Although cooperative play increases during childhood, children still spend the equivalent amount of time in solitary or independent play.

Develops imagination and encourages cooperation, listening and turn-taking.
Role play is a form of social pretend play. Children benefit from social pretend play because it can help them to revisit events that may have provoked some anxiety in the past. For instance, after a visit to the doctors children often play at being doctors and nurses. Role play not only reflects but also contributes to children’s cognitive and social skills. Playing out an experience enables children to understand more about it.
Research has shown that during social pretend play, young children’s interactions last longer, are more engaging and also more cooperative. Nursery school children who spend more time in socio-dramatic role playing are also perceived as more socially competent by their teachers. Role play enhances many cognitive abilities such as sustained attention, memory, language and literacy skills, and helps children to understand and manage their emotions. Role play is generally a social activity but some children can engage in solitary role play where they create imaginary companions. Games where children can create worlds and populate them with their own characters can be beneficial.

Best for ages:

18 to 36 Months

Highlights

Let's Go, My Friend Pup is ready to be the newest member of the family. With a detachable leash and puppy care accessories, this pup comes with what your little one needs to care for their new pet.

Description

Let's Go, My Friend Pup is ready to be the newest member of the family. With a detachable leash and puppy care accessories, this pup comes with what your little one needs to care for their new pet. Your little pet-owner-in-training can walk, feed, give water to and play with their new doggy friend. Two play modes enhance puppy playtime by introducing colours and numbers in Learning mode. Hear puppy care tips and play a colour game in Nurture mode. The Let’s Go Rescue Pup™ encourages kiddos to get up and move as they walk their dog and hear interactive, motion-triggered responses. Your pup has picked up on the scent! Let’s go! Pat your pup’s head when it needs encouragement or to start a colour-finding game. Is your doggo hungry or thirsty? Use the play food and water to care for it, or toss the toy bone to play. Experience the joys of pet ownership without the mess, vet bills or bad-weather walks!

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Products

Brands

Downloads

Parents

Customer Support

Where to Buy

Let's Go, My Friend Pup

Developmental Benefits

Developmental Benefits

Let's Go, My Friend Pup

Recommended Products

VTech Toys

Customer Support

About VTech

Other VTech Sites