| | A young child has more fun when a parent helps swing. |
|
| | A parent can help make outdoor activities a special time for a child. |
|
|
Two key qualities of strong families are that they spend positive time together and share fun and laughter. What better way to combine these qualities than by playing with your children?
Adults often sink into a treadmill-like existence and forget what it’s like to play. It’s easier to let children play by themselves or with each other than to make time to play with them. But when family fun always takes a back seat to the demands of everyday living, something important is missing from family life. Children will soon learn to look elsewhere for fun and appreciation.
Parents who play regularly with their children influence their development in positive ways. Healthy family play builds self-confidence and social skills as children learn to interact with others. In addition, most games teach some type of academic skill - such as recognition of numbers, colors, shapes and letters - that will benefit children in school. An important caution here is a reminder that games are played for fun, not to teach. Let the skill development be a byproduct, not the sole reason for engaging in play with your children. As much as you can, let children choose when and what to play. It’s a parent’s role to provide options with enthusiasm, but never to force them on children.
Playing with your kids does not need to include an outlay of cash for toys and games. Many household objects are excellent play materials just waiting to be discovered. With a little imagination and an eye for safety, parents can rival the best lineup of commercial playthings. Making toys for your children will help spark their imaginations and teach them their play is worth your attention. Homemade toys may not last forever, but they’ll probably last as long as a child’s attention span and are easily replaced if they don’t.