An Occasion to Play

Article Written By: catwomanseven

It's easy to sit back as a parent and watch your children run around like mad men in an unstructured chaos. We call it andquot;children at playandquot; but in reality it's just pure chaos and you're children get very little from it in terms of stimulation, education and character building.

We've all seen the child who has trouble differentiating from playtime and the times where we need them to behave like proper young children. If you happen to have a child like this you know just what I'm talking about. At any time you are certain your child will morph into Super-Man and run off to save the world. They'll most likely hurt their siblings and make them cry in the process. This is not only embarrassing for parents it's destructive behavior that can affect your child for their entire lives and it's also a learned behavior that can also affect younger siblings in a very negative manner as well.

The good thing is, most of these behaviors can be modified easily by implementing several small tactics that can keep children interested and stimulated as well as developing motor skills, knowledge and social skills. Don't get me wrong, any time you try to add a little structure to chaos you'll find pit falls and brick walls but the end result will be a child who can play and function in a manner that benefits everyone.

Trying to build character through play time is one of the most rewarding experiences a parent will have with their children because it's time you get to spend simply having fun. The first step is to set clear ground rules for the game. For example, setting time limit, or sharing requirements will help you with the structure aspect. Just like adults, children benefit from structure because it gives them parameters to work within.

When playing imagination games (being a pirate trying to recover lost treasure) be prepared to teach. The definition of a parent should be andquot;teacherandquot; because it's up to you to make sure your children are being mentally stimulated and not just running through their day mindlessly. Before getting involved with kids toys, a new game or adventure with your child, do a little research on your own so you can bring interesting facts or stimulating questions to fun time. This keeps your child mentally involved in playtime and also helps to build on their knowledge. In the world of video games and televised stimulation playtime is rare and when your child does engage in it you can get 10 times more from it by using education to enhance the fun.

Building motor skills is another area that is often overlooked but very crucial in your child's development. The term andquot;idol handsandquot; is very true in the fact that when your child gets bored, they get into trouble. We've all seen it a hundred times. So when you're down on the floor playing with those Magformers, challenge your child to build something specific and build one right along side of them. This gives then sensory stimulation and it keeps them involved in the process. Once you build that pirate boat you can float on over to your Playmobil Toys village and search for that elusive gold. Your child will appreciate having a swash-buckling partner to help them and they will be more constructive in the process.

About the Author

Author Kimberly Green has 3 children whom she loves to buy fun and interactive kids toys for. They are a useful tool for imaginative play and learning.

You Can Link Directly to "An Occasion to Play" by using the url:
http://www.allbestarticles.com//family/kids/an-occasion-to-play.html

This Article Has Been Published on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 and Read 161 Times

Find All Best Articles at http://www.allbestarticles.com

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.

Related information on Kids

Keeping Your Baby Warm From Top to Bottom
Baby Feeding Pointers in Feeding Your Baby With Solid Foods
Baby Room made simple
Babies First Birthday
Planning These Woodworking Ideas As A Family
Hazards of New kids Clothing
Babys 1st Year Of Learning
Learning through Play
Important Breastfeeding Tips
Baby grows, Bibs and More
Keep Your Children Away from Bad Company
Developing Creativity in Your Child
Creating a Comic Book
The kindergarten program will motivate your child
Kids Play Kitchens Can Provide Your Child With Many Benefits
Childcare ma for your child while you work
Importance of Kintergarten Programs
Having A Baby Bag: An Important Accessory For Moms
Finding the Next Generation of Personalized Baby Toys
Diaper Changing Guidelines
Safety Guidelines for Infant Sleep
Decide On Crib Bedding Sets For Your Little Boy With Sport Designs
Your Children Will Benefit From Having Outdoor Playsets
Baby Keepsake Gifts: What Are Those Exactly
A train on your shirt!