How do your kids play?

The “question how do your kids play?” is usually the first question I ask when meeting a new family that I am taking on as a client. It seems simple, but I make sure to emphasize the word how because it is the most important. Do they play alone, with others, in silence, with background noise, or not at all? There is a function behind everything and observing how a child plays can tell you so much about a child and what skills they are learning. Playing can even facilitate bonding between parent and child. Just so we are clear, when I say playing, I mean playing with toys, objects, and  other equipment that do not involve technology. Kids need unplugged play in order to fully realize any of these benefits.

Just this week a new research-backed initiative launched called “The Genius of Play“. This initiative was started to demonstrate that playing is more than just fun and games; it is EDUCATIONAL! I mean you knew that right? No? Well it is. Some benefits include: speech development, social skills, emotional and cognitive development. The most basic of games and play exhibit these benefits. This is the reason why kids need unplugged play. Don’t get me wrong, technology is wonderful and I use it daily.  For my own children and clients, I only use technology as a secondary resource.  The primary focus should always be unplugged play and interaction with others.

Everyone can derive benefits from the simplest of objects.  For example, children can learn pattern recognition from a game of peek-a-boo with their hands or can enhance their imagination by playing during bath time.  If you go to TheGeniusOfPlay.org you can take the Play Pledge to join in with other families to help guarantee 1,000,000 hours of PLAY this year. Once this goal is reached a charitable donation will be made to the Toy Bank. You play = kids get toys. That’s a win-win in my eyes. You can also find helpful tips, tricks, picks and more to encourage everyone to play.

In my house, my children love playing with trains. They are played with daily: independently, with each other and as a family. Playing with a character (train, superhero, horse) provides skills every child needs to learn. My son, for example, creates stories with the trains.  In a flash my basement is transformed into the “Island of Sodor,” and Thomas begins talking with Toby and suddenly I become Harold and am flying in to the Island to participate in the story that my son is now imagining. While observing my son play, I learned he understands different feelings.  One of the most surprising observations was when he was creating a story about two trains that are at an intersection and neither is budging. He says, “Gordon is puffing steam he is so frustrated Diesel 10 won’t move”.  Frustrated!  I didn’t believe what he was saying, an emotion, used correctly and a big one at that at two and a half years old.  It is amazing to see my two children bond together over their interactions between their favorite toys. My daughter, who loves My Little Pony, creates stories with my son and his trains.  Their voices change as they collaboratively create an adventure. I will never forget the time the kids were playing in their room together, and I heard my son saying, “Now Gordon stop and take five deep breathes. Okay, now tell me what happened.” Through this observation, I learned that my child knew how to role-play. In my house, instead of time-out, we take deep breaths and we talk. He understood this and when his character was dealing with a conflict; he used an approach that we practice in our daily lives.  He was processing and expressing emotions through role playing, another benefit of play.

Join in the play with your kids, even if it’s for a short time. Hand them a ball outside and ask them what they could pretend it to be, give them the lead and let them run with it. As a fellow parent, encourage your kids to play AND play with them. As an educator, use this time to teach your child a variety of skills. Be spontaneous, be unstructured and most of all, play!

For more you can check out thegeniusofplay.org, follow on Facebook, instagram, twitter and pinterest. Also the Toy Industry Association has great information on toys for your family.

Disclosure:  I was compensated for this post, all opinions are my own and honest.