Many parents think that play exclusively implies the time you leave everything else and sit down to play with your children and their toys. They do not count any other activities or time spent with children without toys.
However, when we scratch the surface of children’s play, we can see that the play itself is not just about the toys, it goes much deeper and involves every activity that adds up to children’s development either physical or mental.
We have already mentioned chores being a part of children’s play in my last blog. Even though children don’t like some activities, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a play. They take the role of parents, some craftsmen or maybe even workers to do something. It’s a pretend play that is very meaningful and important.
Therefore, this means that I have got the answer to this question for you. Yes, you do play with your child, although you sometimes don’t know it.
As a teacher, I constantly speak to parents, and I often bring this question up and get very different answers.
Yes, I Do!
One of the parents was sure they do, so she described their play:
“We usually sit on the floor, take out all the toys we have and play with what my kid wants to play with. If he prefers to play with cars we drive cars on a city mat, if he wants some social games, we do that. Our play lasts for hours depending on my obligations. Then when I have to prepare dinner, we have to stop playing. He usually helps me. I am sorry I can’t spend more time playing with him.”
In this case, the parent is not aware that they play even after their car play has finished. Helping in the kitchen is also a sort of play in which children pretend to be grown-ups, and take on an important role of a parent this acquiring crucial skills like motor skills, coordination, problem-solving skills, social skills, creativity and imagination. They become a parent, a chef, a cook or a waiter.
Please keep on spending time with your children as much as you can and engage them in everything you do.
Well I Don’t Have Much Time, But When I Do We Play
These parents aren’t sure if they are on the right path. They admit they don’t have much time but they take their kids everywhere with them. The father says that he jogs every evening and he takes his children with him. He asks if that means he plays with them. They are sorry their children don’t have many toys and they don’t sit down to play with them. Talk is the only play they do. Mind games are played when they travel, reading and drawing take place everywhere.
Every activity children can benefit from represents play. Whenever they learn something new or acquire some skill it is a play. In this exact case, children learn to lead a healthy life, and practice being active and skilful. Motor skills are the most dominant in this example, but this activity also helps develop responsibility, organization, confidence, communication and many more.
The games played in this family help children develop literal and critical thinking, comprehension, linguistic skills, problem-solving, creativity and imagination. So they do play, they just don’t know it.
No, I Don’t
Admittedly, some parents are not aware of the play at all. They say that they don’t have time to play with their kids and they feel sorry for that. Then we scratch deeper with some additional questions and answers.
Their children usually play alone with a load of toys they got as a parent substitute I talked about in this post. They don’t help much with the chores because they don’t like it. The family always spends evenings together talking about their day, daily activities and plans for the next day. At weekends, they make popcorn and watch a film together.
Yes, those kids spend almost all day alone except for the evening and weekends. Anyway, it is good that their parents spend all their home time with their children.
It’s nice to have a load of toys to play with, but above all, children appreciate every minute spent with their beloved family. Even if it doesn’t seem to be a play because you don’t have any toys, the time spent even only talking to your child is beneficial for their development. They need a role model to imitate and who is a better model than a parent.
For Those Who Don’t Like Playing with Children
There are some parents who can’t stand playing with their kids as they are bored with trivial things. In this case, please remember that play is an instrument of learning for your child. It’s like an invisible book from which they copy their behaviour and develop their skills. So don’t underestimate play to any other job. It is equally important to your regular job.
Anyway, if you can’t stand it, then let them help you with whatever you do. Let them do the chores, wash your car or sort your tools. Keep them engaged and around you. Children naturally love their parents and love being around them.
Talk to them, make them listen by telling them stories from your childhood or even some job stories, of course, adapted for your children’s age. They won’t check if the stories are true, so make your stories enticing and ask your children to help you solve a problem.
Let’s Give This Question a Final Thought
Finally, we can conclude that each interaction, each activity involving your children is actually a play. If your activities are similar to the ones mentioned above, then you are on the right path. Just go ahead with what you do. There is always room for more, so you can add or change some things.
When you get bored with your children’s play, just remember how important it is to your child. Your child is an empty book that needs to be filled with the best possible content. You are the one who has to take steps and give them good material for their book.
Play with your children while they are near you. When they get older, they will continue playing only without you by their side.
Perhaps days seem long for a parent, but years fly.