Do you know how to play with your child?

Every parent interested in their children wants to participate in the upbringing and important moments of the child’s life. Achieving this goal is usually a constant goal and it is not uncommon that it does not materialize in a satisfactory way, as one cannot deny the rush of today and, consequently, the lack of time dedicated exclusively to children.

With the schedule full of commitments – both parents and children, with courses and extracurricular activities – it can be difficult to create moments when everyone is together and willing to pay attention to their family relationships.

Playing with children is much more than simply entertaining them. Play between parents and children establishes emotional bonds and creates intimacy, which is so important for a child’s self-confidence and acceptance. The moment of interaction is very important for all child development.

“The child demonstrates a large part of their questions through play. Play is a direct bridge to the children’s universe and the proof of this is that when we propose to play a game that refers to our childhood, we quickly access dormant memories and feelings. Children discover the world through play and, when they realize that there is a world in which they no longer play, they feel lonely in their own world, when there is no such exchange”, explains educator Vivian Amaral, from CIEI school in Petrópolis-RJ. .

According to statistics, around 66% of parents believe they spend little time with their children, while only 35% think they spend enough time. The biggest villain in this case seems to be, for the most part, professional issues and also electronic activities.

Educator Vivian Amaral analyzes that, currently, when it comes to exclusive dedication, the time dedicated to children is not only insufficient but, in some cases, worrying. “In addition to the obvious issue that parents increasingly include external activities in their children’s routines, there is constant inattention on the part of the family. Any exchange suggested by the children is immediately vetoed and the argument is that “life is hectic” and “there is no time” to pay attention to children’s ideas”.

How to find out if you play enough with your kids

Playing with children should not be confused with providing the child with something to amuse them, be it an electronic game, computer, television or conventional toy. Children of all ages have the ability to play alone, varying the amount of time they keep their attention fixed, and this is natural. But active family participation will always be beneficial and productive.

“The interaction of the family through play demonstrates to the child that you are willing to know or recognize their world. This is how you learn empathy, trust, humanity, etc. The relationship is no longer one-sided, where only the child needs to know the things we deem necessary and he also starts to show us his world”.

Children may have difficulty understanding and organizing thoughts until they are able to verbalize. Realizing this distance may not be easy because the child’s reaction will not necessarily be exactly directed to the subject. Vivian warns that children can end up showing frustration in a not very clear way:

“They may start to lose interest in routine activities and cry to do things they normally do. At this time, attention must be paid, as parents tend to think that something new has happened and can understand that it was outside the family environment. If the child cannot spend time with the family doing things that they would really like, chosen by them and that matter to them, naturally they tend not to do the activities suggested by the family – this is the way to demonstrate their need.”

“In the case of the older ones, this charge usually comes in the form of aggression. Children begin to respond harshly and attack the family with subtle attitudes, such as emphasizing how the family of others is ideal and doing the opposite of things considered as a reference for the family”, he adds.

How to approach your child and play with him

Lack of time can be a hindrance, but it is important to note that children’s creativity arranges all the alternatives for this problem. For the child, anything can be play. Don’t wait for that long weekend to produce some extraordinary play, it can make you procrastinate on something that may never come to fruition. Try to enjoy every right moment.

“Enjoy the trip to school, explore the path, pretend you are astronauts entering a spaceship, or adventurers walking through an enchanted valley. Transform the kitchen into a portal of magic where mixing ingredients does amazing things. Turn bathing into a sea storm or a pirate adventure. Show how you used to play and find out how your child likes it. You will find more affinities than you think.”

Testimonials: what parents say about it

“When Arthur was six months old, I went back to work full-time and he was babysitting and then he went to day care. I only saw him on weekends. When I realized that he was asking more for his father’s presence than mine, I knew it was time for a change. I quit my job and started working from home. I became a present mother and preferred to reduce the family income in order to provide this. I’ve been able to participate in almost everything with him for years. I created my own home business so I can work with him on the side. When I’m with him, we do everything! We play, we talk a lot, we are great friends and confidants, we love to mess around, invent, create, sing together, draw….I think the time we spent together was really good!” – Ana Hayss, actress, mother of 6-year-old Arthur.

“At this age he is not very interested in activities other than video games and computers. I’m quite frustrated that I haven’t had more opportunities to play ball, play tag, and ride a bike. Sometimes I try to play video games with him, but I also don’t have the patience to stay for a long time. It’s hard to get him off the screen and I recognize that I’m partly to blame for not encouraging more other types of activities.” – Evandro, industrial climber, father of 12-year-old Cauê.

“I currently spend a lot of time with my son, as I have a job that is mostly on the internet. Every day we have meals together and he goes to school in the afternoon. There have been times when I missed having more time for him. This phase of life is one that I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to dedicate myself and be present in my son’s life. We usually go to the waterfall, watch movies and play…” – Fernanda, historian, mother of 8-year-old Otto.

Fun ideas to play with your kids

In need of inspiration to play with your kids and ensure quality and fun time with them? See the following separate ideas for children of each age group:

From 0 to 1 year

• Listen and sing songs
• ball on the floor
• Play with water, bucket or pool (always with supervision)
• Read and Roleplay: Read stories to your child and role-play the characters
• To roll

From 2 to 3 years

• To draw
• Hide and seek
• ring pass
• To dance
• Modeling clay

From 4 to 6 years

• A-do-le-ta
• Hopscotch
• hula hoop
• Statue
• mimicry

over 7 years

• Blind goat
• juggling
• Treasure hunt
• Kite
• Ball games: soccer, dodgeball, volleyball.

There are countless possibilities for easy and fun games, which provide interaction between parents and children, strengthening intimate bonds. With or without space, rain or shine, and with a little organization, it is possible to spend pleasant moments with your children, which will be kept in memory.