| Did you know that you are your child's first | | | | Don't fret, you can awake the child within. In |
| playmate? Emotional self-regulation skills, social | | | | order to play with your child, however, it's best to |
| skills, and relationship skills come from that early | | | | understand the developmental stages of your |
| bond you form with your child. One of the | | | | child so that your expectation matches your |
| challenges for so many parents is that they are | | | | experience. |
| now adults and have forgotten how to play. They | | | | - A baby plays through close interaction. All the |
| are caught up with serious things like paying bills, | | | | goo-goo and ga-ga baby talk and physical |
| working, managing the house, and raising children. | | | | connection helps your baby bond to you. |
| However, playing with your child is "seriously" | | | | - A toddler begins with "parallel play". That means |
| necessary. | | | | you basically play side by side with your child. |
| Play allows a parent and child to bond and form a | | | | Your presence is still necessary but don't expect |
| secure attachment. This attachment provides the | | | | much interaction. |
| child with a basis for a happy, healthy life. The | | | | - Preschoolers will interactively play. You could |
| trick to playing with your child, however, is | | | | have a doll and your child could have a doll and |
| two-fold. Firstly, you have to be able to let your | | | | those dolls might talk to one another! You must |
| "adult" responsibilities go for 30-minutes so that | | | | remember, though, that your child will still direct |
| you can play and be present. Secondly, you have | | | | your play. You are but a puppet allowing them to |
| to enter the child's world, literally and figuratively, | | | | play out their imagination and they will love you |
| and discover your "inner" child. Here are five | | | | forever for the time and effort you give. |
| simple steps to help you let go of the heavy | | | | - Elementary age children might let you be a |
| world of responsibilities and play with your child: | | | | creative member in playtime. As your child shows |
| | | | increasing independence in play, you may feel |
| 1. Acknowledge that play is as important as the | | | | inclined to stop playing. It's important to |
| bills, the dishes, dinnertime, and work. | | | | understand that playing is still essential to your |
| 2. Use your own emotional self-regulation skills to | | | | child and to your relationship. |
| allow your adult stresses to fade away when you | | | | - By the time your child is a teenager, all those |
| are playing with your child. Tell yourself, "This is | | | | wonderful years playing with your child will really |
| important. I'm going to be in the here and now. | | | | pay off. I find my "playtime" with my teenager is |
| Worrying about anything else during playtime | | | | still incredibly fun. |
| doesn't help me get those things done nor does it | | | | It is difficult to take time every day to play with |
| help my relationship with my child." | | | | your child. Although it is ideal to have daily |
| 3. Take deep breaths anytime you feel physical | | | | playtime, weekly "playdates" are good too. |
| stress. The breathing will allow you to relax. | | | | Teaching a child that life is fun and playful rather |
| 4. Smile and laugh even if you don't feel like it at | | | | than rushed and tense is so much better, wouldn't |
| first because we know that pretending that | | | | you agree? The time and effort you put into |
| you're having fun actually produces real fun! | | | | playing with your child now will make a world of |
| 5. Play! For some of you, it has been a long time | | | | difference in your relationship later. |
| since you picked up a block, a doll or a racecar. | | | | |