We live in an increasingly busy and task-oriented world. As parents, we often feel that we have a million things to do - activities, emails, chores, and errands. More parents are working outside the home, and many parents have to work more than one job or extra hours. All of this adds up to extra responsibility and extra stress in our adult lives. We do the best we can to provide for our children, care for them, and show them love, but one thing that is often forgotten is play! Play is not just a pastime for children. When children are playing, their brains are growing, and high quality play can lead to high quality brain development. This does not mean that your child should have a lot of toys. Toys are not necessary for high quality play, and in fact, too many toys can be distracting, overwhelming, and can hinder creative play. The most important "toy" in your child's life is YOU!
When you play with your child, allow them to lead the play. Avoid talking too much or directing the play. Be present, be patient, wait, and let them introduce play ideas. Join them in something that interests them, even if it does not seem meaningful to you. Even if play seems ritualistic or inappropriate for a child's age level, it is still okay to join them in the play that interests them! For example, if a child loves lining up cars or trains, get down on the floor and join them in doing so! Then try expanding the play by altering it slightly - by lining them up a different way, perhaps. Dr. Rick Soloman, Medical Director at the P.L.A.Y. Project states, "When you do what your child loves, your child will love to be with you." And when your child loves to be with you, they are developing while they play with you! Build play into your daily routines; even a few minutes here and there of high quality play will add up, and will add joy to your lives and your relationship.
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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
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