Play

Why is it important to play?

Play is an important part of a child's growth. A child will play to work through different feelings and situations and to make sense of the world around them. It also teaches them how people interact with each other.

Letting a child choose how to play is the best way to help them grow through it. The world should be exciting for kids, but they should always be safe and watched by an adult. The person watching them should pay attention to what they're saying and meet their needs while they play. These actions will help the child form a safe bond with them, which is also good for their growth.

All types of play are good for a child's growth, whether it's pretend, based on rules, verbal or nonverbal, alone or with other kids, loud or quiet.

How they play is the most important thing.Giving a child the freedom to choose and follow their own hobbies while still being involved with them can help their confidence and self-esteem and make them more imaginative and creative.

Something good you can do 

Help the child when they need it, but let them do things on their own.

You will see how much a kid likes to figure things out on their own. Getting things done is more meaningful to them if they were in charge of the project and came up with their own solutions. So it's good to let them try to do something by themselves.

But do help them if they start to really suffer. Young kids are better able to learn a new skill or get good at something they've never done before if they know they can get help if they get stuck. If they do, they are more likely to be able to deal with anger when doing something that is likely to be hard.

For example, if a child plays with a shape sorter toy and tries over and over again but still can't get the square block into the round hole, they might give up. They are less likely to give up in sadness if they know they can ask for help. For example, they could just pass you the block and say, "Can you help me find the square hole?" While they are young, kids should feel like they can ask for help when they need it. This will help them in the long run. More importantly, it will help them connect with people who can teach them in the future.

Give them your full attention and let them know that you are interested in what they are doing whenever they try to do something. This will help the kid concentrate on the job and also make their attention span longer.

The child should be able to play however they want.

There are times when kids don't play the way we think they should, but letting them find their own way is the best way to learn. When they have a tea party, they might, for instance, sip the tea from the mug or pour the sugar into the milk jug! That's fine! Instead of telling them what to do, let them try out new ways to play. The child may have a more creative plan than we do.

You shouldn't get in the way of a child's play, but you should try to figure out what they're trying to say and why. Also, try to keep their wants in mind at all times.

Let the child do what they want, and join in yourself.

As you play with your child, it can be helpful to notice what they are most interested in doing and then try to follow their lead. You can also plan their play around things you know they are really interested in. Also, don't be shy about joining in with what they are looking at or researching at the moment. When you do this, it's best to fully participate and only talk about what they're talking about. When they're ready, they'll tell you and show you what they want to do next.

No matter how slow the child is going, follow them.

When you're playing with a kid, go more slowly and let them finish the job on their own, no matter how long it takes. We adults often want to move quickly because we already know how something works or how to play a game. It's important to remember, though, that kids think more slowly and are still learning everything. They might spend ten minutes just looking at the teapot and talking about its form, color, feel, and other things. But if you take a back seat and let the child set the pace, they will be able to explore more deeply. For kids, doing something over and over again helps them remember what will happen next time. It's good for kids to do this, even if it gets old for adults!

Make the space fun, happy, and playful.

Be playful in your conversations and exchanges to try to make the space more positive. Warm, soft, and friendly facial expressions and voice tone will help you and the child talk about how you feel, which will make the child feel safe enough to fully engage in the play. Sharing fun through play can help create a place that is both stimulating and good for bonding. Adding laughter and fun can also help make the mood good, which is an important part of play.

Give the kid some freedom if they need it, but keep an eye on them.

As babies turn into toddlers, they will want to be away from the adults who are taking care of them more. But they will still want to know that the person who is taking care of them is close by in case something comes up. You can help them feel independent by letting them play in a different part of the room, but stay interested and ready to help them when they need you. You can also play games with the child that have to do with this idea of being apart, like "peekaboo."

Encourage play between sexes

In order to help kids grow and learn, we adults can actively fight gender stereotypes in play, like by giving girls toy cars and boys dolls. Gender roles or standards that are too strict can hurt all children and keep them from learning important things. Being like this can be very bad for transgender and gender non-conforming kids, who might know their gender identity from a very young age.

Things you should watch out for to see if someone is anxious while they play 

Kids can safely act out things that are bothering them while they play, and you can also tell when they are worried by watching them play. Some examples are when kids play in ways that are very similar to what they've already seen or heard, like drawing the same pictures over and over or paying extra attention to one toy.

During play, they may also act out harder feelings. For example, when they play make-believe, they or their toys may be more upset or angry with each other. By putting their worry or anger into something else, they can control it and keep from losing control. It can help if adults notice any feelings or themes that run through the play and take the time to explain these fears to the child in simple terms.

Telling parents and other adults who care for children to play with them more

Even more time should be spent playing with your kids during these times if you can. You could suggest that parents set aside time every day to play games with their kids. This will help the kids feel more stable. Parents may not have a lot of time or room to let their kids play for long periods of time, but even ten minutes of uninterrupted play time can be very helpful. Parents who are having a hard time dealing with their own stress and anxiety may also find that making a time limit helps them be more present with their child. However, it's best not to tell the child about the time limit.

Also, parents who are trying to homeschool right now should know that letting their kids play without rules is much more important than "lessons."

Advice to give parents 

You should spend as much time as possible playing with your kids. Don't be shy about getting on the floor with them and having fun! Just a few times a day for five or ten minutes is enough. It's not necessary to last for hours.

Playing with other kids can help kids deal with tough situations better and can also help them feel better. Reading a book or putting together a game with a child who is always on the go can help.

It doesn't matter what kind of games you play with your kids.

Let your child decide how to play. Pay attention to what they're interested in and let them discover in their own time and space. This helps them learn and makes them feel better about themselves and their choices.