Today’s toddler is typically busy with structured activities and strict schedules. Unfortunately, this method of play and learning only gets worse the older they get. Experts believe that by adding free play to your child’s life, you can build strong parental bonds and promote a developmentally sound and happy child.
1. Creativity and Imagination
Children are under such tight time constraints due to their parents work and personal schedules that it can make them into stressed individuals. Parents also utilize electronics and other forms of structured academics to raise their child’s IQs. What many don’t know is that in order for your child to progress both socially and emotionally, you need to incorporate free play into their daily lives.
Free play can allow a child to use their imagination with items you have around your home. A block can transform into a car or boat. Your child can even take simple kitchen utensils such as pots and spoons and turn them into a musical forum.
2. Toys and Objects
Toys and objects that support free play can be as simple as bean bag toss, blocks, balls, blankets, pop tops or dancing to music played on the radio. You can even purchase age appropriate toddler toys that are inexpensive but will encourage them to play individually or with others. These simplistic toys can bring the element of entertainment, fun and surprise into their day. This unstructured play should be their idea, and you can do your best to quietly supervise from the sidelines.
3. Games and Play Dates
Children in a structured setting typically learn to play on their own. However, you can provide your toddler with a social setting by arranging play dates with children similar in age. Free play can build social skills such as problem-solving and learning to share. You can boost your child’s play by adding games and fort building activities. As your child gets older, they’ll be able to schedule their own play time such as soccer games without a coach or adult supervision.
4. Outdoor Recreation
Going to the park with your toddler and allowing them to play randomly with the swings, slide, monkey bars and other obstacles is another form of free play that is beneficial to your child. Because you’re not teaching them what they need to do and how to do it, giving them the freedom to play with their friends without instruction can be fun.
While it’s still important to set part of their day for academic activities that encourage their growth and development, making time for outdoor recreational activities such as hitting the baseball around outside, swimming in a pool, running after lightning bugs and riding their bike can be just as important.
5. Play with Your Child
Playing with your child can help you bond and develop a strong and trusting relationship as a parent and child. Instead of offering suggestions on games and activities, you can incorporate free play into your afternoon of fun by allowing them to lead. If they want to pretend to play chef or teacher, you can go along with the game of pretend.
A hurried life for your toddler can be harmful to their health and cause stress, anxiety and depression. Free play allows your child to utilize their imagination and improve on skills that are useful to their everyday lives. Involving yourself in their daily free play will help you to maintain and enrich that special bond already shared.
As a mother of 4, Lisa Coleman understands and shares the importance of encouraging free play in our children’s lives early on for many beneficial reasons. She recently viewed online, some toddler toys at http://www.kidsii.com/c-142-toddler-toys.aspx that are sure to entertain and help a toddler enjoy their free play time.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/schofields/495061203/
