![]() ![]() Learn more at days, your baby will love putting the "boo!" in "peekaboo!" These kinds of hide-and-seek games start to become giggle-producing favorites as your baby begins to grasp the concept of object permanence. The Family Center provides free programs and resources that empower families to successfully navigate life’s social, emotional and physical challenges. Hasti Raveau is a child and family psychologist and the founder and owner of Mala Child and Family Institute. A good child therapist or someone who specializes in play therapy can be helpful in facilitating these interactions until you have become more comfortable playing with your child. Some adults find it hard to engage in play with children and may need extra guidance and support around that. The amount of needed daily play involving a parent actually is much higher for children age 5 and younger. ![]() With older children and teens, it can be playing a board game, doing your nails or hair together, hiking, building something or playing video games.Ĩ) You want to spend at least 10 minutes a day playing one-on-one with each child you have. It can be making arts and crafts, building a puzzle, reading a book, exploring the garden or your backyard, playing a sport, playing peek-a-boo, or singing and dancing. Make sure when giving praise, you are being specific (e.g., instead of saying, “Good job,” say how you really appreciated the way they did a specific thing), timely (make the praise soon after the particular event) and sincere.ħ) Play can take many shapes and forms. It can be pretend play with dolls and action figures, or with cooking utensils. You can say simple statements such as, “I really love how you are drawing” or “Nice throw!” or “I appreciate how hard you are working on this puzzle.” No, you will NOT spoil your child for praising them. Don’t be scared to use big words.Ħ) Praise frequently. Aim for a 6:1 ratio of positive to negative comments. ![]() Label. Label and describe objects and verbs and ask the child questions so they can use their vocabulary. Stay with that activity until they are ready to change direction to something else.Ĥ) Be at the same height with children as much as possible so you can have lots of eye contact and shared smiles with them.ĥ) Label. It makes them know you are paying attention to them.ģ) Let the child guide the play session. Notice what they are drawn to and play with them using those toys or activity. Verbalize your observations, such as, “Oh, you are drawing a circle,” or ask them questions about what they are doing. If you notice your mind wandering away to your cell phone or to-do list, bring your attention back to your child, over and over.Ģ) Let go of your own agenda for how you two should be playing together and instead start making observations on how the child is playing. If your mind is somewhere else, you won’t be able to make observations and be engaged with your child. Here’s a guide:ġ) Put away your devices. Free yourself of any distractions ahead of time so you can truly be present with your child. Playing with children is not rocket science, but it can feel that way if it wasn’t modeled to you when you were growing up. But if you’re a new parent or your parents didn’t play with you as a child, you might not know where to start. In part one of this two-part series, I talked about the reasons why engaging in play with your child is important for their emotional, social and academic development. Heating/Cooling Repair and Installation. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |