Children playing with each other.

We have talked a lot about the importance about playing WITH a child. What about children playing with each other? Isn’t that important too?

Adults lose the ability to “play”. We often find it difficult to play with our children in ways that are most beneficial to them. This is where allowing children to play with other children without parents interfering, is really important.

Adults can unknowingly dominate playtime with their child and be quick to jump in to problem solve on behalf of their child, robbing their child of learning these social problem solving skills practically.

Children on the other hand, often engage in free play where anything goes. When children engage in play with one another, they are given an opportunity to create and develop their own play experiences with the influence of an adult directing what should be done and why.

When children play without parental interference, they develop understanding of how to communicate appropriately with other children and develop skills in problem solving, understanding relationships and can be required to stand up and speak up for themselves.

Here’s a playing checklist just for you:

• Choose an activity that your child enjoys.
• Model words and phrases for them in your own play. Your child is more likely to pick up words and phrases when they see how and why they are used.
• Pretend play! Don’t be limited by what you think should be done with a toy. Use the cup as a hat, play dress up!
• WAIT. Use pauses for your child to be able to fill and comment on what they are doing.
• Mix it up and play in different places. Table, floor, outside!

Most importantly, just have FUN!