Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Play bonds us further, Mommy and Daddy!
Chapter 2.12
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Arushi had a long day. On reaching home, her smile returned as she saw her 1 year old playing with the ball. Seeing his mom, he leapt towards her and she hugged him tightly.
She spent the evening playing peek-a-boo with him. A simple game, but the moment he pushed the veil away to find her mother’s face, they both giggled their hearts out.
Those hours were the best time of the day for Arushi, indeed. She knew that her little girl felt the same without even speaking it out aloud.
It is important for children to play with peers, and to be given ample opportunities for unstructured play.
Let’s Reflect
However, experts have observed that some children seem to be natural at indulging in play whilst some need to “learn” how to play and this is where parents can make a big difference.
Parents are the foremost and most preferred playmates for their child!
From the moment they open their eyes into this world and feel the warm touch of their parents, little nuggets use their twinkling eyes and loving smiles as means to engage in play with them. For babies, the best toy is you. Right from infancy days, play has both long term and short-term benefits on the learning and development of the child. Therefore, parents need to be aware, resourceful, and creative in making time and space available for their child’s optimal growth at various levels
Modern times are extremely challenging as individuals are torn between family and work calling. However, your child’s developmental trajectory is heavily dependent upon emotional relationships built through play in a loving and consistently caring environment. Your child, especially in the early years, needs to be with you to feel secure, safe, and expressive. Spending time gives parents a chance to understand and get familiar with their child’s interests, likes, dislikes, capabilities, temperaments, needs, wants, behavior and so much more.
Play offers parents substantial opportunity to engage fully with their children.
Well-Being:
The benefits of having fun with your little one is immensely therapeutic. Each day take out some time wherein you allow yourselves to detach from your worldly affairs and indulge in pure, innocent & welcoming interactions and giggles with your child.
Eg: Let bedtime be family time. Together with the parents the young ones can have:
- some story telling session
- or each one describing his/her day
- Enacting their favorite superheroes
- Or singing and dancing on rhymes
A Simple Equation:
More the play, closer the interactions and higher the emotional connect thereby further strengthening the bond of love. Simple Equation is not it? The interactions that occur through play assures children that parents are fully paying attention which in turn leads to building enduring relationships.
Eg: Mom (whilst reading a story book): the baby duckling hugs her mamma before going to school.
Child the next day: Runs and finds her mom to lovingly embrace her and bid her see you
A New World:
Observing your child engaging within the environment lovingly curated to fit his/her needs or even better- joining them in child-led play activities, is a wonderful chance for parents to view the world from the eyes of their little ones.
Eg:
Vidhi: Dad does your stomach hurt?
Dad: Unsure, ummm Yes (play being on his mind)
Vidhi: Runs to get a curry leaf from the fridge and hands over to her dad. Eat this
Dad: Oh thank you sweetheart.
Vidhi: Eat it dad… You will feel better just like in the book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”
Their Guarding Angel:
Getting a glimpse into their child’s world helps parents to effectively communicate with their child. Play enables a voluntary environment for parents to impart a gentle and nurturing guidance. Your presence enables another level of meaningful play to happen. Child may use your attention to figure out a tough situation with a friend, re-enact a daycare scene, or try something new and challenging, like balancing on a bouncy ball.
Eg:
Simran: I am a bad girl, I want to hit him
Mom: Oh! But I thought you are my sweetheart. Let him take your toys, it’s okay, you can come play with my favorite toy. Here you go: a siever, some flour, some water and it’s a messy but fun play.
Simran: This is so much fun Mom! Thank you!
Their Cheerleader:
Children who are not much vocal about their feelings best express their views, experiences and even anxiety through play. This gives parents an insight into their child’s inner perspective. This enables them to stand in a more understanding position to help their child.
Eg:
Mom: C’mon let us play football
Shiv: No mom the ball is hard. My friend got hurt in the park
Mom: Do you want to be strong like PJ masks. You are a strong boy. I am there, with you. Do not worry. We will have fun. I promise
Shiv: Reluctantly. Okay mom. We can try
Stress Buster:
These tiny humans have a huge capacity to release you of your worries. Just being around them and watching their little antics will help you unwind and relax and find this world a happy place to be in.
Eg:
Mom: (returns home all worked up and tired because of the huge traffic jam)
Mitali: (runs and hugs her. Showers her with kisses)
Mom: (all her tiredness fades away and she forgets all her worries and joins Mitali for a pretend play tea party)
You can shower them with all the fun toys to play with, but nothing can be a substitute to your company.
Kids are often found intently watching parents and picking on social skills that have a flavor of how they watched you modeling your behavior.
Just like we cannot stop adorning our little ones, our bundle of joy too can’t seem to take their eyes off their favorites. You will always find their eyes following you, looking for you, sparkling at the sight of you. Your song, your words, your giggles are all melody to their ears. They thoroughly enjoy your silly acts, funny faces and are always looking forward to more of such playtimes with their beloved parents.
Kids are your mirrors and reflections!
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