Recently, I have had several requests for me to give tips on what to do for a child’s playtime. For some its a pleasure but for others its painful
Don’t fret. If you’re one of those who finds it difficult to play with children, you’re not alone. For some it does not come naturally for others its a piece of cake. Here are some thoughts.
Sometimes, things seems easy for some people because they thought ahead of time. Its call planning. If you plan, visualize and work through what you’re planning to do with the child during his or her playtime, you would find it more enjoyable for both you and the child, irrespective of the activity.
Do you know, children are very easy to please. Its the adults who are difficult. Here are some instances
1. Sometimes we set too many expectations on how the play should pan out, we get very frustrated when the child does not play the way its meant to be played.
2. Sometimes, we give “attractive, colorful, pieces of plastics” which is too hard to resist because it looks so edible and must taste great! - and you wonder why they put everything in their mouth?
3. Sometimes we get stress when they throw the toy because their motor skills are not well defined. Giving toys beyond their age.
Here are some tips I found to be extremely enjoyable.
1. Offer only 1 or 2 choices at a go.
2. Playtime could also be sweeping the floor with you; washing or cleaning with you.
3. A little run in the garden when the weather permits
4. A special bath time treat
5. A pencil and some paper
6. Music and dance
My point is, keep it simple. don’t offer too many toys at once. More often, its your presence that makes the difference not the toys.
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