Playing with your Child

[Luba]

from "Toys4growth":

"Play Is the Work of the Child" Maria Montessori

While children do need time to play alone and with other children without intervention, research shows that playtime with parents is also important.

Children crave time with parents. It makes them feel special. Parents are encouraged to find time to spend playing with their kids on a regular basis. Play should include one to one with each child and group time with all of the kids in the home. If you are a single parent or have only one child, occasionaly ask family or friends over to play.

In pretend play, let the child develop the theme. Get into their world. Ask questions. Play along. Be silly along with them. Be careful not to over-stimulate them, know when it is time to stop.

Play outdoors. Throw balls. Push kids on swings. Make mud pies. Take a nature walk in your own backyard.

Play games--card games--board games--silly and wacky kids games. Teach them to take turns, how to win and how to lose. Praise them. Encourage them. Laugh with them.

Get involved in a craft project together. Build a jigsaw puzzle. Paint a picture.

Listen to music together. Sing along. Play rhythm instruments along with the music. Get out the guitar or keyboard and make music.

Read a book together. Ask questions. Ask them to change the story or make up a new one.

Watch a movie together. Find out what they liked - how they felt. Discuss the child's interests. Comment on and discuss any bothersome content.

Help kids with patience, problem solving, social skills, and creativity.

Play games like:Follow the Leader - Guess What I am? - Hide and Seek

Playing with kids builds a bond that will last forever. It lets the child know she/he is loved and appreciated. It opens the door for sharing problems and to ask for help when the need arises. It helps the parent to know and understand the uniqueness of each child. It is also a great stress reducer for overworked parents.

[Star]

I was done playing with my kids and now i've got erika to play with. erika loves singing and dancing so we do a lot of that around here. kassandra and i watch movies together and these days, we talk about her little boyfriend kenny. it's kenny this, kenny that, kenny, kenny, kenny. LOL!! we haven't actually met this boy yet but, we're supposed to meet him this week sometime.

Today, i played with the fisher price doll house with erika. she just loves that house. i bought it for my own kids when they were little. seems odd that it's now my grandchild playing with it. I'm soooo happy i kept that toy!!

[Adonaicole]

I love playing with my son. He get's all the cool toys I couldn't afford when I was a kid, plus he gets all the toys that weren't invented when I was a kid. Playing keeps you young, I love climbing on the monkey bars or playing tag or soccer. One of the funnest things we do is exploring the woods, you'ld be surprised what you find out there. Creeks, lakes, wild animals...harmony!

[Duke]

I got told this weekend that my daughter and I are "too close". For the life of me I have no idea what that means and it struck us both as odd.

[Vautrin]

Originally Posted by Duke

I got told this weekend that my daughter and I are "too close". For the life of me I have no idea what that means and it struck us both as odd.

By whom, if I may ask? It strikes me as odd as well.

[Star]

i don't thin you can never be too close to your child. It's a very odd thing to say to someone.

[Duke]

By a waitress in an upscale family restaurant (at least thats what I think you'd categorize it as). Everything was great, the meal, the service, everything, and then as I'm paying my bill my daughter and I were kinda chuckling at and with each other (as usual) and that's when she said it.

I'm not really sure if it was a compliment, a backhanded compliment or an insult, I just have no clue. She was very nice to us the whole night so I'd like to think it was just an offbeat compliment but it struck both Dwoing and I as a funny thing to say.

[Vautrin]

She is probably used to people who spend all their lifes earning money, and kids knowing their nanny better than either of their parents. Now, the only way you would allow yourself to be such a parent, is by justifying to yourself, that too much time together is a bad thing. She may have a similar view on matters?

[Star]

this waitress peobably has no kids to say something like that. anyone with kids knows that you can't be too close to your child.

what a strange thing to say to a person you don't even know huh?

[Merika]

I would consider it 'clumsy' flirting......... she probably meant it more like a hint...than a cut. :wink:
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I loved playing with my kids when they were little. I really miss it now that they are growing up and have their own friends. I guess I'll just have to wait until my Granddaughter gets a little older.