Between the morning run, the day at the daycare center where you have to follow the group and the educator's instructions, the return home, the bath and the bedtime, the children sometimes have little time available to play freely.
We must therefore be attentive so that this activity takes a special place in the daily lives of our children .
In the era of organized leisure and busy schedules, we must remember that open play allows a child to develop just as much as the other activities that make up their daily life.
Time to play
When a child is allowed to play freely, he then has the opportunity to develop his autonomy in play, that is to say the opportunity to choose, decide and organize his activity in his own way. So set aside half an hour every day for your children to play: alone or with you, indoors or outdoors.
When they have free time, some children don't always know what to do because they are used to adults organizing their time. So get into the habit of giving your child the initiative when you play with him. “What will we do with the modeling clay or blocks? »
This is a good way to encourage the development of one's autonomy. When you let your child decide, he develops his autonomy and discovers ways of playing that he can reproduce when he is alone. He will surprise you with his ideas.
Outdoor games
Outdoor play is a good way to burn off energy, which reduces the risk of becoming overweight. You must therefore find time to allow your child to move outside to meet his or her need to run, jump, climb, crawl, dance.
Outdoor games allow your child to do movements that are difficult to do at home, such as doing somersaults, sliding, swinging, playing catch, blowing soap bubbles, etc.
You can also spend time outdoors with your child. He will be more motivated to go play outside if you enjoy it yourself. Why not race or play tag with him? This is an opportunity for you and your child to appreciate the four seasons.
Toys
Don't underestimate toys that are simple copies of reality (truck, house, dinette, doll, stuffed animal). Your child will then have to use his imagination – and his creativity – to bring them to life and create play situations.
Choose toys that can be used in different ways: building blocks , farm, trucks , dolls , paper and pencils to make drawings, modeling clay, costumes. Such toys allow your child to use their imagination and will keep them interested longer than a toy that requires a specific activity.
Focus on a variety of toys rather than quantity. Your child will benefit from toys that allow him to move, build, imagine, tinker, express himself, pretend play , observe nature, sing, play with others. Such a variety of toys will broaden his play preferences. It will also stimulate the different stages of his development, thus promoting harmonious overall development.
Finally, limit weekly use of computer or electronic games. It will then be easier to maintain good habits at school age, when your children's interest in video games will be growing.
Original article published by Naître et Grandir .
