For children, parents are the most important people in their lives. Play is a natural way for parents to connect to their children and the best way for them to learn. Child will benefit from playful parenting approach the most. We are here to stop and remind ourselves that we are NEVER too old to play!
Do you ever feel like you forgot how to play? I know I do have this feeling from time to time. Is it because, as we grew up, we were brought to believe that play is something irrelevant, a time waster? Is it because, once we get married and have kids, we get buried in daily obligations, all in an effort to provide for them and bring them up in healthy and happy adults? Do we get so wrapped up in daily stresses and never ending tasks on our to-do lists that it becomes too hard to shake off and find the time to stop worrying?
The Importance of Playful Parenting Approach
I have asked several well known family friendly bloggers, who also happen to be play experts, to share with all of us their opinion and their experience about importance of daily play for both kids AND parents, and to provide answer on this question: Why it is important for parents to play more often?
Play is the language of a child
It’s important to play with our kids because that is their language. They experience the world through play, they practice future roles, they work though stresses and anxieties through play. It’s a tool for connection and to build trust and unlike a language you don’t speak you can tap into this one and connect with your kids.
Allison McDonald is a preschool teacher, mom, and founder of No Time For Flash Cards, a popular early education resource for parents and teachers.
She also happens to be one of our favorite mommy blogger who has been around since 2008 and her blog is filled with awesome play ideas for toddlers and preschoolers! You can connect with Allison on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
Spending Time as a Family
Children just simply love spending time with their parents. Play time is equally important and their favourite part of the day. So combining the brings two of their favourite things together. Also, when grown ups play, children get to see a different side to their adult – usually, calmer, more relaxed and of course more fun!
Maggy is passionate about crafts and play. She is also one of most influential moms when it comes to crafting with kids and lady behind very popular crafting blog Red Ted Art.
Stop by the YouTube to see some of awesome crafty tutorials she made, or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
Learn about child’s interests
Oh, there are many reasons why parents should play with their kids. A couple right off hand — 1) its just fun! and 2) it gives you time to get to know your child and 3) learning about your child’s interest helps you create other meaningful activities to do with them.
Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. As a former marketing manager, Jamie needs the creative outlet to get through the early years of parenting with a smile!
You can find Jamie playing daily on hands on: as we grow or you can find her sharing her great ideas on Pinterest and Facebook.
Play relieves stress and anxiety
I think that play is a great way to connect with your kids and it can also be fun for you! Play can be a stress-reliever for adults, and it can be a chance for us to use our creativity (lots of us have jobs that don’t give much room for it) and remember what it’s like to be a kid again.
Asia is a former classroom teacher (M. Ed) and author of the book 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids.
You can find Asia sharing wonderful play ideas on her blog Fun at Home With Kids and on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Play enchances creativity
There are three reasons why I believe that adults need to play more:
1) It’s fun! The stresses of life can bring you down, but play distracts and lightens some of that stress.
2) It enhances creativity. Stepping outside your normal routine into some open-ended play gets the wheels turning in different ways.
3) It helps you relate. Experiencing life through play as your child does makes you a better parent. Empathy and understanding go a long way in the relationship you have with your child.
Anne is an ex-engineer, current stay at home mama writing about crafty ways to encourage creativity (and brain power!) in our kids. STEAM (Sci / Tech / Eng / Art / Math) activities are her fave.
Anne is the brain behind Left Brain Craft Brain and you can also find her sharing on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.
Book Recommendation about Playful Parenting
Play is children’s way of exploring the world, communicating deep feelings, getting close to those they care about, working through stressful situations, and simply blowing off steam. That’s why “playful parenting” is so important and so successful in building strong, close bonds between parents and children. Through play we join our kids in their world.
Find the book here: United States | Canada | United Kingdom
In Less Toys. More Play. article series we share ideas how to reduce toy consumerism, unclutter child’s rooms and bring more engaged play to our children.
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- 20 Reasons to Say YES! to Less Toys. More Play.
- Less Books = More Reading
- Donating Toys
- Simple Outdoor Play Ideas
- Repurpose Old Technology into New Toys for Imaginative Play
- 5 Things to Consider When Choosing Toys (And What to Avoid)
- Simple Washing Station for Toddlers
- Playing without Commercial Toys
- 5 Ways to Play with Play Food
- How and Why to Involve Kids in Toy Purge
READ NEXT IN LESS TOYS. MORE PLAY. SERIES
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