I recently had the opportunity to take my kids to Meadowmere Park for a little play break. This park was fabulous! So many sensory play opportunities and things to discover! I love the way this park is situated right next to a wooded area, and has a ton of open green space. Time spent in open green space has been proven to reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity in children - I told my kids to run as far as they could! I also love the way there are so many nature elements built into the play areas, including a natural tunnel made of branches and a hidden sculpture surrounded by huge grasses. Time spent playing in nature has been proven to boost immunity, eyesight, curiosity, independence, mood, healthy weight - and the list goes on. My son said, "Mom, this is the best playground ever! There are secret compartments everywhere!" And he was right! There were so many little places for a kid to peek inside and discover something cool: a ladder, a slide, a sculpture, or a new way to look at things.
When I am at the playground with my kids, I try to be mindful about letting them do things on their own, rather than rushing to help them. So if my daughter climbs too high on the rock structure, and doesn't know how to get down, I stand nearby but I don't intervene. I try to give her the time and the confidence to figure out a way down on her own. This helps her to develop her own independence and problem-solving skills. I also try to be present, and I try to leave my phone in the car or in my pocket. Kids love for you to notice what they are doing. You don't have to compliment them on climbing high or being brave or running fast, but simply noticing what they did ("You did it! You climbed across! I saw you!") brings awareness to their actions and helps them to develop the brain structures needed for learning and self-regulation. A sunny play day at the park is so much fun for all of us, but it is so much more than just play! And playground days are an awesome, completely free way to promote healthy development for our children.
0 Comments
|
AuthorHi, I'm Brie Krentz, and I'm the School Psychologist at HGECC. I care about the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health of all of our children, and I believe in Conscious Discipline as a way to minimize behavior problems and to help children connect meaningfully with others. Archives
October 2021
Categories |