All about play
Top tips for parenting playfully
Here are our top tips for parenting playfully:
Let your child choose what they play, how they play and who they play with.
In their day-to-day lives, children get a lot of instruction from adults, so playing in their free time should be led by them.
Let your child solve their own problems
Showing them the ‘right way’ to do something stops them from discovering things for themselves. They’ll learn a lot more if they work it out.
Take a step back and keep an eye on your child from a distance
They are more likely to play in their own way, and they will benefit from experimenting and experiencing things for themselves. They won’t need a detailed plan of activities.
Let your child enjoy physical challenges like climbing trees or balancing on a wall
Try not to be overprotective. The worst that can happen is usually a bump, a bruise or a scrape.
Give your child a few things to help them play in their own way
All they need is a few toys, everyday household items, and play resources. Some of the things that will encourage them to be creative and use their imaginations are:
- fabric
- guttering
- cardboard boxes and tubes
- tyres
- sticks
- tarpaulins
- string
- rope.
More ideas and information
We have put together these handy guides – Playful parenting and Playing at home – to help you make sure your child has plenty of good opportunities to play. The guides provide helpful reminders, ideas and tips about play for all children – no matter how old they are.
