Play with a Child

Is it possible to play with a child too much? To read too many books to a child?

Is it possible to love a child too much?

Obviously, since parents have many important things to do, probably no one can devote as much time as we'd like to playing with or reading to a child.

But it is impossible to love a child too much.

We should not equate giving with love. Certainly, we can give a child too much: too many books, too many video games, too much time watching television.

Giving is an important part of love, but giving a child too much of anything is not love.

Creative play should be on every child's daily schedule. Young children may need help playing creatively, someone to play with, to teach them how to play.

And, to be honest, you don't need a lot of things to teach creative play. One great game is role playing.

Benefits of role playing

When we play a role with a child, we gain insight into how he or she thinks and feels. Most of the time as adults, it's difficult for us to come down to their level and to understand a child's world. How can we guide a child effectively if we can't see things from their perspective?

So role playing benefits the parent as much as the child. When we truly know what they are going through, then our teaching becomes more personal and powerful.

- It gives opportunities for mental growth. Children can experiment and explore new ideas and new ways of thinking without pressure.

- It builds problem solving skills. While role playing, they are put into situations that require them to make choices and decisions.

- It encourages self expression and helps them cope with their feelings. It is not the adults that determine what goes on during play but the children. They are the directors and script writers.

- Definitely fosters their imagination.

So here are five ideas you can do in your home to foster creative play.

1. Playing Shop:
Create a make-believe shop such as a grocery shop. You can use items found around the house such as tin cans, used cereal boxes, plastic fruits etc.... Decide how you are going to price the items, make some paper money and don't forget the shopping cart (you could just use a basket or a box). Decide who gets to shop and who gets to be the shopkeeper. Help your children make a shopping list and then start shopping.

2. Make Prop Boxes:
Girls love to play hair dressers. You could prepare a hairdressing prop box with stuff like combs, brushes, clips, empty bottles of shampoo, conditioner, cream, rollers, and an old hairdryer (without the cord of course).

How about a medical prop box? A white shirt/coat for the doctor, plastic medical toys, old clipboard with recycled paper, empty small bottles for make believe medicine, and used scarves or towels as bandages and blankets. Kids will have lots of fun making up injuries and illnesses then figuring out the remedy.

You could also have a restaurant box. Put in some paper plates, paper money, cutlery and aprons. Help the children figure out what goes into the menu and then they can practice ordering, serving and eating. Great way to learn about table manners and how to behave when eating out.

3. Dress Up Box:
Here's a great way to recycle some of that old stuff in the closet such as hats, coats, scarves, dresses, shirts, shoes and accessories. Children love to experiment with different looks and pretend to be someone else.

4. Pretend to be Mommy/Daddy:
Don't you wish your children knew what you have to do everyday? Even better, would you like to know what your children think you do everyday? Well, here is your chance. If you work in an office, then set up a mini workstation, as similar to yours as possible. If you are a stay-at-home-mom running around all day, then the stage is already set as your home office. Discuss the things you encounter and explain some of your responsibilities. Then have them play you (and maybe you can play them.)

5. Set Up School:
Create a schoolroom setting with chairs and desks. Of course, someone has to play teacher and someone else has to be the student. You could always recruit dolls to be the other students. Don't forget about the homework bit. You could also create a Principal's office and have situations where students get sent there.

Your children can come up with many more ideas for creative play. If there is a certain issue you would like to tackle, why not use this method? It won't sound like a lecture, you may learn something you didn't know through your children's self expression, plus you involve them in the problem solving. Above all, I'm sure they will treasure the time you spend with them, making the experience most invaluable.

By age three or four, children begin to really enjoy playing games, all and any sort of competitive games. As they grow older, they may enjoy board games and video games. Board games are probably best because your can talk while playing. The right video games can also be fun and instructive, but you may need to set limits on the amount time children spend playing video games alone.