Importance of play unit 4

 

Playful parenting

Through play, parents can connect fully with their children and have fun.  

A parent or carer can support and take part in their child’s play activities but they shouldn’t direct what happens.

It’s important they give their children time, freedom and choice to play. If an adult makes all the decisions about how, what and when their child plays, the child won’t enjoy their play experiences.

Play and challenge

Children often want to create challenge and uncertainty in their play. Through risky, challenging play, children test themselves and find out their own limits. They learn how to deal with risk through play and can use these same skills later in life.

Parents should encourage their children from birth to extend themselves. Teach them basic skills including:

• riding a bicycle
• swimming
• road safety

Explain that it’s important to learn from mistakes, to try again and to believe in themselves.  Help them understand their limits and their boundaries. Allow them to have fun in their play.

Play and digital technology

To make sure children have time for unstructured, freely chosen play every day, parents should limit screen time. The younger the child, the less time they should be using digital devices.

Keep certain times and areas in the home technology-free zones such as:

• meals
• when outdoors
• before bed
• bedrooms

Don’t use digital devices to distract your children or keep them quiet. Talk to your children, play games or look at a book together. Join in your children’s screen time and talk about their online activity.