The Importance of Play: Do You Make These Mistakes With Kids? #1
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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?”.
If you are new here, you might like to subscribe to our RSS feed or receive updates direct to your email. We have many fun ideas to share.
#playmatters: who are *we?
Learning to Play and Playing to Learn
Playing and Learning Begins at Home
About the author
Pauline LessonsLearntJournal; because #playmatters. On Lessons Learnt Journal you'll find activities for children, play, parenting, maths games, handwriting, reading and much more.
Pauline is a Christian, Wife, Mother of 4, Primary School Teacher. When not blogging, she may be found virtually hoarding on Pinterest, trying to decide which Instagram filter to apply, or compulsively refreshing her Facebook feed. Most days you'll find her chasing her kids and that much needed nap.
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Fantastic idea! I’ll definitely be joining in. x
Emma,
Thanks so much for the excited and warm response! It’s so nice to be around people like you. Can’t wait to see you over on IG.
xo P
I know play is very important and I try to encourage my children to play as much as possible. But, I’m not a big pretend play person. I try with Miss Poss because she loves it so much but the max I last is 20 minutes.
I love craft, so we do more of that but now that she goes to school, we don’t have much (if any) time to play. Other than tickling her when she goes to bed. Sigh
20 minutes is legendary Penny. I hear you about the demands of finding time especially when kids go to school. Wouldn’t it be lovely if part of kids’ homework was to PLAY and have family time with their families? Doesn’t that make sense?!
xo P
Great Post. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all the STUFF you have to get done, that we forget to take some time out and just \’play\’ with your kids. I find that even for 10 minutes, by sitting down and eating some of my tots imaginary food and giving her my 100 percent, undivided attention means a lot to her.
Amen to that Jane
Xo P
This is a great post. You are so right that while play does matter, and most parents know it does, it is so easy to get distracted by other things and miss those opportunities to connect. I\’m featuring this on the Sunday Parenting Party this weekend. You can grab an \”I was featured\” button from my blog button page if you\’d like one.
Thanks a million for the feature my love. I feel most honoured
xoxo P