The Importance of Play: Do You Make These Mistakes With Kids? #1

Pauline — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The Importance of Play

Do you make the mistake of not playing with kids and getting down to their level?

I have a bah-zillion things to do and another bah-zillion things I should be doing right this moment. Yes, I know play is important, but how on earth can I find spare time to play with my kids?

I find myself thinking that so often during any typical day. I know about the importance of play. I read about it, hear about it, and see it; yet my actions fly in the face of the importance of play.

In an environment where standardised testing dictates budgeting and micromanaging our children has become the accepted norm, I need to be reminded often of the importance of play. Here’s the value of playing with kids and getting down to their level; i.e. dropping down to their eye-level and letting them set the direction of play.

It’s only by playing with them and getting down to their level that you learn about a particular child. It’s like any relationship. You need to spend time with them. When you spend time with them, at their level, you’ll learn more about them: What does he/she like? What makes them uncomfortable and frustrated? What does he/she hold close and dear? What are they good at? How do they perceive themselves and the world around them?

By playing with kids and getting down to their level, you are also exuding kindness. A parent-child relationship built on love and kindness is priceless. “Children must be wooed with kindness if their attention is ever to be won” ~J.C. Ryle.

Don’t wait for an invitation. For every job that gets done, go play with your kids, even for just a few minutes. Go down to their level, and for a few minutes, see them, their world and get to know them.

Do you believe in the importance of play?
Join the #playmatters community on Instagram.

Do you share my sentiments and feel the pressure of micromanaging your children and forcing them to exhibit adult behaviour and skills? Are you like me and crave those daily reminders about the importance of play?

Join the #playmatters community! *We believe that play matters.

You can become part of the #playmatters community on Instagram by simply:

Uploading your play related photos onto Instagram;
Pick a fun filter, (choices, choices!);
Add a caption and the hashtag #playmatters;
Click share!
Then, (here’s the fun part), check out other #playmatters photos by searching for the #playmatters hashtag. Be inspired, laugh and cry with others. Meet, support and be supported by others who also believe that play matters.

(P.S. My Instagram user name is @pauline_lessonslearntjournal. Would love it if you would come and say Hi!).

Don’t have Instagram? You can still see #playmatters photos through the Instagram tab on the Lessons Learnt Journal Facebook Page. Want to share a photo? Please share it through the Lessons Learnt Journal Facebook Page and add #playmatters as part of your caption for the photo.

Need more inspiration?
Follow the #playmatters Pinterest Board.

*We believe that play matters and we hunt down the best kids activities for you. Follow our #playmatters Pinterest Board.

More confessions?

Yes, you read the post title correctly; “Do you make these mistakes with kids, number 1“. I make plenty of mistakes with kids, and number 1 seems like a good place to start. As part of the #playmatters initiative, I will be sharing a number of mistakes I make with my kids. So, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on learning from my parenting mistakes.

Don’t miss #playmatters Parenting Mistake #2: Do You Always Ask Your Kids, “Was that fun?”.

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February 2013