On this episode of Play Matters with Bright Horizons, our expert Claire Goss gives parents and caregivers tangible tips on how to encourage kids to play.
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- Play outside!
- Ask open ended questions like, “What do you think would happen if we did this?” or “Why did you make that choice?”
- Let them lead the play and create a “yes” environment.
Listen in to learn how to get it on the fun!
Show Notes
Kanika (TTMS): In this installment, we’ll be discussing tips for parents on encouraging play. According to Common Sense Media, kids ages 0-8 spend an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes on screens – phones, tablets, TV. Kids 8-12 spend about 4.5 hours or more. Now, when I was younger, my parents would say come home when it’s dark and my friends from my neighborhood and I played outside for hours. We’d play 4-square or double dutch, catch fireflies, and go on scavenger hunts at a lake nearby. As we parent this new generation of children who are native to screens, we’re competing with screen time because it’s readily accessible. How can we motivate kids to get up and play outside?
Claire (BH):
- Reflect on your child’s schedule and protect playtime whenever possibleThink about your environment at home
- Have a variety of flexible, open-ended materials like blocks or art supplies
- Create a “Yes!” environment
- Get outside! Provide ample time for children to play outdoor
Kanika (TTMS): What do you advise parents to tell kids when they say – “I’m bored.”
Claire (BH): Feeling bored is just that: a feeling. And like all feelings, it’s a normal, natural occurrence. It’s not our job as parents to guard our kids from being bored, it’s not damaging. Boredom can help your child find what they do and don’t like. It can mean your child has to be creative about what to do next. Younger kids may need some help coming up with ides, but school-aged kids should be able to come up with some ideas on their own:
Kanika (TTMS): We have our kids write a list of things to do when they’re bored and we tell them to refer to it. Here’s a sample list:
-Read
-Draw
-Color or Highlights Activity Book
-Build a Brio train track
-Play with my dolls
-Build Snap Circuits
-Build Legos
-Play outside – basketball, hopscotch, chalk
-Play a board game
I have to acknowledge that adults should engage in play too. When my youngest son was starting Kindergarten after Pre-K 4, he said, “I don’t want to grow up. Grown ups don’t play.” That made my heart sink. And the truth is as we grow up, we almost forget to play. I recently played pickle-ball with my husband and took a tennis coaching session with my family and had a blast. It was so fun to just play a sport for the fun of it. Another side to it is many parents are just not the type of parent who are on the floor wanting to play all the time. What advice do you have for parents on how to get in on the fun and engage with play with their kinds, no matter their comfort level?
Claire (BH): Engage in guided play with your children
- Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think would happen if…”
- Give children the chance to be a scientist!
- Allow for messy play
- Focus on the process not the product of the play
- Let go of perfection
PRESS PLAY
Kanika: What is your #1 takeaway for parents and caregivers on how to encourage play.
Claire (BH): Keep it simple. You don’t have to play cruise director. Lean into open-ended materials in your home and give your child a chance to be bored and play!
Kanika (TTMS): Thank you for making this segment so special! You can always go back and listen to these bite-size deep dives on thatstotalmomsense.com. See you soon!
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