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Play has been proven to have tremendous benefits for a child’s growth and development, yet parents are more overwhelmed and time-poor than any generation before them. We sit down with Genevieve Muir from Connected Parenting to discover her top tips for helping families quickly and easily unlock the power of play each day.
Why is play important for a child’s development?
When it comes to developing a child’s intellectual and emotional intelligence, play is far more valuable than flashcards. In fact, scientists have discovered that with play, it only takes 10 to 20 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain, as opposed to upwards of 400 repetitions without play – which can be a gamechanger for children and parents alike.
Everything from social skills, emotional regulation to creativity is best learned through play. It’s therapeutic, it’s mindful, it’s low pressure and it’s how children learn best about their world.
Just 10 minutes of play can strengthen the parent-child connection
Fortunately for time-poor parents, the myth of having to spend hours with your child to have a positive impact on their development has been busted. In fact, offering just 10 minutes of one- on-one play can regulate a childʼs emotions and fill their emotional cup, which helps reassure parents who may feel guilty for not spending as much time with their children as they would like, that they are doing enough.
Another easy yet impactful game to enhance the parent-child connection through is blowing 10 kisses across the room and asking your child to keep some for later or blow you some back. This is an easy game parents can do, even when your hands are full with a feeding baby or you’re in the middle of making dinner – and it makes your child feel amazing.
Why should more parents encourage rough and tumble Play?
Some parents worry that rough and tumble play may make their child hyperactive – but this a myth! incorporating Rough and Tumble play teaches children about resilience, boundaries and can even help settle them before bed. Evidence also suggests that children who play in a rough and tumble manner learn how to manage their emotions and self-regulate faster than those that don’t.
Despite what a lot of parents may think, playing with your children in a rough and tumble manner actually teaches them to be gentle as they gain a better understanding of what the limits are. Rough and Tumble play also promotes children to practise balance, coordination, strength and agility, as well as social and nonverbal communication skills.
I challenge parents to incorporate a fun tickle monster pillow fight into their nighttime routine and see how this can help children settle down faster before bed. It may seem counterintuitive, but I promise you’ll see the benefits and it might even help you release some stress from your day with a fun burst of energy and lots of laughter with your little ones.
How can the “5 a Day of Play Guide” help parents?
The five core concepts of play that are explored in the “5 a Day of Play” guide which BabyLove Nappies approached me to develop with them are Messy World Play, You & Me Play, In It To Win It Play, Rough & Tumble Play and Letʼs Get Silly Play.
Knowing how important play is for children’s growth and development, but understanding just how time-poor and overwhelmed today’s parents are, The ‘5 a Day of Play’ guide has simple and practical tips to support time-poor parents with turning everyday routines into mini moments of play.
We decided to design the guide in this way because we are not parenting in the world our parents did. Previous generations received advice from family and friends, and todayʼs parents are absolutely inundated with a constant stream of information and advice from the minute they get their first 3D scan, and the expectation on parents to “get it right” is huge!
For more 5 a Day of Play ideas and game explainers head to babylovenappies.com.au/5-a-Day-of-Play
WellBeing editor’s favourite play idea
WellBeing’s editor Kate’s three-year old son Harry is obsessed with everything to do with transport – cars, boats, planes, trucks. His favourite play space is the IVI Pay Rug from Urban Baby. These multi-dimensional play surfaces feature diverse textures and thickness and are offered in a range of hues and patterns. Its tactile qualities and vibrant colours foster Harry’s imagination and offers play for hours on end. Catering to both solo and group play, the Mini City Rug (featured) is fun for everyone in the family.
You can find out more here: urbanbaby.com.au/products/ivi-play-rug-mini-city-medium-turquoise.
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