On
television, Playhouse Disney seeks to address the whole child,
ensuring that elements across programs cover the several areas
of child development. On the Internet, Playhouse Disney Online
extends the curriculum into a new medium in order to give the
child more opportunities to play and learn. In fact, the more
interaction the child has with an adult in playing these activities,
the greater opportunity to learn. Adults are encouraged to participate
by stopping to ask questions about such things as what the child
thinks he or she should do next and talking with the child about
colors, shapes, numbers, sounds, etc.
Each category of child development contributes to the whole
child, and children need all of these areas of growth to reach
their full potential. On television and online, Playhouse Disney
covers the following categories of child development.
Physical Development - Increasing both fine and gross
motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination, dressing oneself,
walking, jumping, cutting, connecting dots, moving the mouse,
etc.
Emotional Development - Understanding and expressing
a range of emotions, such as happiness, fear and confidence
Social Development - Learning to appreciate the social
world and one's own place in this world, including such ideas
as sharing, taking turns, cooperating and friendship
Cognitive Development - Acquiring a variety of "facts"
about the world, from concepts like colors, shapes and numbers
to facts about nature or history
Metacognitive Awareness/"Thinking about Thinking" - Understanding
HOW thinking works, including being able to come up with strategies
and hypotheses, and problem solving.
Creative/Artistic Development - Developing creativity
via music, dance, art, song, etc.
Moral, Ethical, Spiritual Development - Differentiating
right from wrong; understanding what it means to be a member
of a family or a community; developing a sense of wonder.
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