Remember being a child and playing hide-n-seek, building a fort out of sticks, catching bugs, or just riding your bike with friends? Those were no-stress times filled with laughter and creativity. Your parents would probably have no involvement in planning those activities and would even participate on occasion.
Life is much different for everyone these days. We are all more busy than ever, our kids included. They've got school, homework, traveling sports, dance recitals, and they have to eat and sleep. With the little downtime they do have, most of that is spent in front of a screen which has all but taken the place of free play time. All of this structure and responsibility causes a high level of stress in children making free play time a necessity, not a luxury that happens once in awhile.
Parents must provide their children some protected time every day of the week for them to play and act like children. Whether they are toddlers or teens, their mental and physical health will suffer if they are not allowed to play on their own terms.
Here are some easy ways to find time for free play...
- Don't plan anything or structure your child's free play. Feel free to give them ideas based on your own childhood but let your child's creativity run wild. Their confidence will grow as they make up games, create new rules, and involve their friends in the activity.
- Toss the to do list. For 2o minutes anyway. Ignore the pile of dirty dishes staring back at you, or the the not yet mailed Thank You notes. Clear your mental clutter and take your kids to the park. Just do it.
- There is no one right way. Play looks different for every person, for every child. And it varies from day to day. For some, it’s quiet and focused (like studying the ladybug they just found in the backyard). For others, it’s loud and messy. The point is, it’s led by your child. And they’re having fun.
- Join them. What better way to reconnect after a long day at work then to just play with your child. This could mean cuddles on the couch with a good book, roughhousing in the living room, or playing ball in the house. And yes, we are those crazy parents who let their kids play ball in the house (within reason anyway).
- Ditch the screens. I would say one rule of play time should mean no screens of any kind. So put the nix on all handheld electronics and tell them to find something else to play. They will thank you later.
- Get outside. Unsure what to do? Take a walk. No matter what the weather. Kids are amazing and find ways to play no matter where they are. And as you know, kids don’t just walk. They skip, run, discover, and collect. A walk is definitely bona-fide play time for kids.
- Embrace the mess. Play now and clean up later. No, it’s not always easy to stand by and participate in your daughter’s play time when it means all things glitter, paint, and paper scraps. Get into it. Have fun. You’re going to have to clean up anyway. Might as well have fun making the mess too.
Kids are way too stressed these days and it’s making them sick. They absolutely need some free play time and time to reconnect with you.
I guarantee it’s a win-win for both of you.