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Incredible Parents Play

This page will be forever changing with updates and links because the support that parents and families needs change. It seems like some of the affects of covid epidemic has influenced and changed modern family dynamics the way we interact with our families and friends. 

Parents of today seem more inclined to cherish family interactions and celebrations. They are clever and time-minded like exceptional parents have always been. However, keeping kids home motivated many parents to hone those skills needed in reconnecting with their children through play. They developed their inner Peter Pan. My niece and nephew are so awesome at playing with their kids every chance that they get.
Because playing with their children is their playtime too. 

How Do You Like to Play?

Take a minute and think back to your childhood. How did you like to play?

Did you play with dolls and decorate their homes?  Were you a builder and creator of magnificent things?  Did you yearn to be outside digging in the dirt?  Did you spend most of your time with your nose in a book?

Remember things that you loved to do that you might enjoy doing with your kids now.

I loved to build, cook, and sing as a child.  So for fun playtime with my kids, I make block towers, bake cookies, and have silly dance parties while singing 80’s music at the top of our lungs.

Make playtime mutually enjoyable for everyone.

Get Active

By far the easiest and most fun way to play with my kids is by getting active.

I don’t mean going for a family jog, I mean tickle wars, wrestling matches, running laps around the house, and playing hide and seek. My boys are extremely active, and when I’m active and silly with them, we laugh harder than at any other time during the day.

 Plus, when we get active, our pituitary gland excretes endorphins that make us feel good.  They literally give us feelings of euphoria.  So when we want to play and enjoy our time with our kids, get active and let the brain chemistry boost our mood too!

The importance of play

Play is central to your child’s learning and development. When your child plays, it gives them many different ways and times to learn.

Play also helps your child:

• build confidence

• feel loved, happy and safe

• understand more about how the world works

• develop social skills, language and communication

• learn about caring for others and the environment

• develop physical skills.

How To Enjoy
Playing Again

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Children, no matter what culture they're a part of, or where they are in the world, love to play.

Kids can play with imaginary friends, real friends, siblings, grandparents and of course, their beloved parents. But while children have a seemingly endless capacity for play, parents' ability or willingness is highly variable.

While children have a seemingly endless capacity for play, parents' ability or willingness is highly variable.

Some parents simply don't like to play with their kids at all. Getting down on the floor with Hot Wheels and Barbie dolls might not be their thing, and this can lead to a lot of guilt.

But, instead of kicking yourself for not liking playtime, there are ways to play with your kids that might be more to your liking.

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Here are some tips to get you started:

Find a style of play you like

Play is a very general word. Perhaps your own definition is too narrow. In fact, maybe there are some types of play you do like, or at least like more than others. I find no silly within

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If dress-up and make-believe aren't your cup of tea, why not see if a more structured type of play is more appealing? For example, boards games and cards are more rule-bound, and you don't even have to put on a princess crown.

Agree to watch

If your child wants to play house, or with crayons, you could agree to watch. Simply showing your child you are interested in them and like spending time with them is meaningful.

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While you watch, make comments like, "Oh, I see you're making dinner for your teddy bear. I bet he'll like that."

Be You- Find your Niche

There are so many ways to play, stay true to yourself. Try something you enjoyed as child or love to do as an adult and imagine doing it as a young child would. You will notice your child watching you that is a cue to include them in what you are doing.
Capitalize on that and savor the moment when they reach out to you with their interest.
Then show an eagerness to include them. 

Hope was always always interested in my scrapbooking. To the point that you could tell she was going to be way into art. She had very little hands so I gave her recipe cards to paint on together and she had her own scrapbook papers for photographs and stickers and we would share the same supplies. Her dad played "Princess" and was great with pretend play. Our niche was exploring nature, and early playdough, and art.

You don't have to be good at every style of play. Different kinds of play come and go in stages.   

Open your mind

Perhaps you are being too quick to decide that you don't like playing a certain way or a certain game. Perhaps "no" is a knee-jerk reaction to something that looks silly or frivolous at first glance.

Try to open your mind and be curious and experimental. Instead of frowning at the thought of getting your tired bones on the trampoline, join in and test the waters.

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Maybe your memories of badminton were that you were an awful player, but don't let that stop you. You may be surprised to discover that the skill you were bad at when you were a kid may have vastly improved now that you're an adult.

Try to recall your childhood

What experiences of being with your own parents were fun and remembered by you?
How did they connect to you that made you feel loved?
Is that something you can re-enact? How did you like to play as a child?
Do you desire to share those things with your children?
Complete this statement...I can't wait to teach my children to enjoy...?
Mine was  going to the 1000 Island, the blessings that nature provides, jumprope, sensory art and process art, ride bikes, build a fort, how to play with playdough, tea parties, picnics, discover and explore where the animals live, how to make land art with little bits from nature, sewing and crafts... 

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Or alternatively, if your parents were absent in this way, what did you secretly yearn for or need that you could give to your child now as a way of connecting? Your child may not like building model airplanes, but if you start up your childhood hobby again they may take an interest in order to spend time with you.

It doesn't always look like play

Play offers connection, bonding, and co-operation. Those are the same ingredients present in baking cookies together, or washing a car in the driveway. Sometimes it's the spirit of playfulness that we bring to daily activities that turns the mundane into play.

Sometimes it's the spirit of playfulness that we bring to daily activities that turns the mundane into play.

When we do these activities together it causes the release of oxytocin, which helps people feel a sense of attachment. If you have moments of joy and laughter together, you are playing.

Ask yourself: What else do I do well and enjoy?

If you are still feeling like play is not ever going to be your thing, try to remind yourself of all the other ways in which you parent that you are proud of and do well at.

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After all, if you think about it from a developmental perspective, doesn't it make sense that someone with a college education needs more stimulation than can be provided from playing Lego for eight hours?

If you have a good relationship with your child and they feel loved and connected — whether through play or other activities — you're doing just fine! Don't judge yourself just because you don't like to play; there are many ways to build a connection with your kid.

Key points

• Play is key to children’s learning, development, confidence and wellbeing.

• Variety in play is important because it helps with all areas of children’s development.

• Unstructured play and structured play are the main types of play.

• As children grow, the way they play changes.

You might also like

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Toddlers at play

Preschoolers at play

Play and friendship for children with disability

Play and Autistic Children

Find Your Niche and Way to Connect

We have 4 websites to help you find some ideas as to how to connect with your childs interests through play. Your children live for the moments that you play with them.
So make time for that everyday in your daily rythmn.
If you set out play prompts, invitations to play, play provocation  or personal Montessori tray play or invitations, make them about something you both will enjoy.
Try keeping your childs interest and what makes them giggly in mind. Find out what you both enjoy and make mental notes of things that were too difficult or not interesting to them.