Joining In With Our Children’s Play

It’s easy in the current circumstances to feel overwhelmed having to set up activities and find lots of interesting things to do and make with our children. BUT there is something super simple, that doesn’t need much planning or new resources. Simply spending time in your child’s little world is more valuable to them and their development than many costly activities. 

Take time to join in with your child as they play. Be a part of their little world and watch as their imagination, creativity, curiosity and skills come alive. When children are motivated and are directing their own play real depth in their learning and development will take place.

Join their small world imaginary play. Try observing, waiting and listening before joining in, let them lead the play and see where it takes you!

Play dough is a great way to hang out in your child’s world. Try making comments like – “I wonder what you were thinking when you made that?” – start a conversation with a positive observation of what they are doing and wait for them to respond. 

Imaginative role play is an excellent opportunity for extending language, the image below shows a play kitchen but this could just as easily be a table with some pots and pans and the child will create their own kitchen. If you are feeling adventurous give them some pasta, robust fruit and veg.  Conversations during play are excellent for developing higher order thinking and language, why not be the customer at their cafe that the kitchen serves. 

Designing and creating a road or rail system with train tracks or cars on the floor with your child has endless possibilities. If you have large cardboard boxes, open them up and let your child draw the road themselves. Making positive observations about what they are doing and showing an interest can lead to more depth in their play and development. This can be something that is continued as a work in progress over time – more cardboard boxes means more road space! 

Blog written by Laura Walton