Play On: Tips for Grown-ups
The single most important thing to children is the love and attention they receive from their grownups. Kids are thrilled to have the opportunity to interact with their parents or other adults in their lives. There are many positive ways that grownups can share in their child’s play:
- Observe. If you watch your child play, you can learn a lot, such as: what they like to do, how they interact with others, and what they are learning through their experiences.
- Reflect. Reflecting out loud about what you observe such as “I hear you are hitting the drum slowly and then quickly?” is a great way to support learning and discovery.
- Be a Team. Parents can work as a team with their child to problem solve or explore. “What happens if we mix blue paint with yellow paint?”
- Play! For some adults, it seems foolish to let go of adult norms and play with their child. But letting go of adult responsibilities and being playful with your kids is invaluable!
