Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them – KR Ginsberg
Play is how children learn, simple as that, and is an essential part of child development. But in this modern, technological, fast paced world, the essential art of play is being lost to academics. We all know just how dangerous excess screen time is to children’s development, brain, health and well-being but on the flip side, many parents report that without screen time their children are wanting parents to constantly entertain them or they are ‘bored.’
Now, before I go ahead, I must tell you that I was one of those parents who let their two-year-old have excessive screen time. Up until my son was two, he actually had zero screen time. No TV shows, no iPad, nothing. He wasn’t interested and I never put any screens on for him. But then I fell pregnant and in the third trimester, I was too exhausted to do much with him and he became interested in watching YouTube videos. With a newborn to tend to, the truth is he started watching A LOT of You Tube videos. He wasn’t interested in any TV shows, just the YouTube videos (Blippi how are you so happy all the time?!?!). Even though I knew it was bad for him, at that time it was the least of my worries. As my daughter grew older, however, I did notice he was quick to temper, wasn’t interested in his toys and slowly my calm, gentle child was getting angry and frustrated. I decided enough was enough and thus began our journey into reducing screen time and helping him develop his play.
It sounds so odd helping our children learn to play when they are inherently born to do so, yet our society with its cotton wool approach, shrinking family sizes and shrinking backyards has unfortunately left many children not knowing how to play independently. And what a shame.
The good news is though, you can start to transform your child’s play in only a few weeks with these easy tips. There are many amazing blog pieces on this very topic and I encourage you to check them out, but these are the steps that worked for me and my now three-year-old. And no, you definitely do not have to go and spend thousands or hundreds of dollars! **Please note: these tips are aimed for older toddlers aged three and over but can certainly be adapted for younger toddlers
Tip 1 – Start with setting up a play space in your living area – Have you noticed your children will bring their toys out to where you are or follow you around all day? That’s because they feel safe and secure knowing you are close by. Setting up a little play area in your main living area will allow them play more freely knowing you close by. As they get older and more used to playing independently, this space can be moved somewhere else.
Tip 2 – Set up a daily rhythm – This is essential for reducing screen time. A daily rhythm is similar to a routine but more flexible as you are not constrained by time slots, rather your day simply unfolds with a few anchor points along the way. A daily rhythm is calming to children (and adults) as they come to know what to is expected of them at certain times of the day and what the day will be bringing. There is a lot of excellent information on rhythms with a quick google search (google Waldorf Rhythms) but this is the simple one that worked for my family;
- Wake up, dress, breakfast
- Home chores (parent), free play time (children)
- Circle time (come together and light a candle, sing songs, tell a story followed by doing an activity together according to the day of the week, eg. Baking, painting, playdough etc)
- Free play or outing
- Lunch
- Rest time
- Free play (child), free time (parent)
- Dinner, bath
In the few weeks since I have implemented a rhythm, my son quickly caught on to what he was supposed to be doing. If I was cleaning during home chores time and he wanted to play with me (which he did a lot in the beginning) I simply said “It’s my cleaning time and your play time remember? After breakfast mummy cleans whilst you play.” It truly made a difference for him knowing what was expected. He also knows when he is allowed to have screen time so rarely asks for it during the day anymore.
Tip 3 – Play with your child – For the first few weeks of limiting screen time, your child may not be interested in any of his or her toys and that’s ok. Simply spend 10-15 mins or more sitting and playing with your child and model some ways they could play. For example, I would set up a tea party and play along for awhile then quietly excuse myself and mostly my son would keep playing. They can get very inspired by watching you play. In the beginning, they may want you want to play for long periods, but you can simply and firmly say “It’s play by yourself time now whilst I clean dishes/do laundry etc”
Tip 4 – Open-ended toys – there are toys that encourage and inspire your child to play and there are toys that severely limit play. Plastic toys that make sounds and light up do not encourage imaginative play and make for passive children who want to be entertained. It is best to limit these kind of toys, if not get rid of them altogether. Now before you think you will need to spend hundreds of dollars of new toys, simply add a few, open-ended toys over time. Types of toys that encourage independent play include;
- Animal/people figurines
- Play silks (used for landscapes, dress ups, etc)
- Baskets of loose parts (not suitable for babies)
- Building blocks
- Dolls
- Cars/Trucks
- Train sets
- Stacking rainbows/blocks
- Pots & pans, play kitchen
- Pretend food
- Musical instruments
Beautiful, wooden toys not only last much longer but are inviting and can be used in limitless ways. There are many available second hand so keep an eye out. As always though, follow what your child is interested in although you may notice your child’s interests change when they are no longer influenced by what they see on screens.
Tip 5 – Stay out of the way! – Once you see your child fully engaged in play, try not to disturb them! I tend to try and avoid being seen as I find my presence interrupts play. Go grab a coffee or tea and relax! Also, remember children are allowed to be bored so let them be. They may whinge or protest but eventually, once they see you are busy they will find something to do
I truly hope these tips inspire and encourage. Remember, the first few weeks will not go as planned at all but hang in there! Persevere and soon you may notice your child is off playing happily. It is also a good idea to have the adults in your house limit their screen time too as to set an example as children are very much influenced by their parents’ activities.
No comments:
Post a Comment