What Should Playtime Look Like For Your Child?
Playtime is much more than just a fun-filled break for children. It’s an opportunity for growth, learning, and development. Children are like sponges, and through play, they absorb a myriad of skills and lessons that form the building blocks of their personalities and futures. So, what should playtime look like for your child?
Why playtime is so important for children
Playtime in a child’s routine is foundational for their overall development. Regular playtime can help children build social skills, enhance their creativity and imagination, and promote original thinking. It’s vital that children learn a range of skills at a young age to help them develop and manage well in later years.
A few benefits of playtime are that it helps with a child’s physical and cognitive development. From the rough-and-tumble of outdoor games to the delicate finger movements while painting, play challenges and builds physical strength and coordination – helping them refine their motor skills. As well as this, puzzles, games, and imaginative play help children to problem-solve, think logically, and become more creative.
Through playtime, children can also gain social skills and experience emotional growth as games can teach them new things. Playing as a group can teach them about cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution as well as sharing, empathy, and building relationships. Through play, children can also express their feelings and learn to handle frustrations. Role-playing in particular can help them explore various emotions and understand them better.
3 safe & popular toy brands to consider
Selecting the right toys for your child can be a rewarding experience when you understand the purpose behind each toy and how it can contribute to their growth. Not only should they be entertaining, but they should also aid in the overall development of your child. When it comes to your child’s playtime, it’s also important that they are playing with toys which are safe for them.
While there are many great safe and well-known children’s toy brands out there, Hasbro, Fisher Price, and Jellycat, are just three popular brands which have been around for a long time. Their great reputation and quality toys have helped them become highly sought after when buying toys for children to play with.
Hasbro: Known for its wide range of toys that cater to children of various age groups, Hasbro combines fun and learning with a wide selection of toys. From board games like Monopoly which can teach children about money and strategy to action figures that inspire imaginative play, Hasbro ensures safety and quality in every piece.
Fisher Price: A toy brand synonymous with early childhood play, Fisher Price offers toys that are developmentally appropriate for babies and toddlers. Their toys often come with bright colours, interesting textures, and sounds that captivate young minds. Moreover, they place a strong emphasis on safety, ensuring that their toys are free from harmful chemicals and are of the right size to avoid choking hazards.
Jellycat: Renowned as a beloved toy brand for children, Jellycat is celebrated for its enchanting and cuddly creations. With a whimsical assortment of plush animals, characters, and imaginative companions, Jellycat captivates young hearts worldwide. Jellycat’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and captivating designs has made it a cherished choice for parents and gift-givers alike.
How you could structure your child’s playtime
Every child is different and might enjoy different activities when they are playing. However, introducing them to new things can help them grow, develop, and explore something new. Allowing a child to play alone as well as in a group, play outside as well as inside, can have many benefits.
1. Balance their indoor and outdoor play
Indoor games, arts, crafts, and reading offer vast avenues for learning in the comfort of the home. While screen time, especially educational apps and programs, can be beneficial in moderation, it’s crucial to strike a balance. To avoid too much screen time, children should spend time playing outside too for fresh air, sunshine, and new environments to experience.
University researchers found that outdoor playtime for children could even help to reduce the harmful effects of screen time by almost 20%. With children ages 3-4 years old now spending around an average of 29 hours of screen time each week, according to the World Health Organisation, young children should be spending time outside instead of watching TV and playing video games.
The great outdoors is a vast canvas for children as they can run, jump, climb, and explore during their playtime. Activities like cycling, playing catch, or even a simple game of tag, are not just physical exercises. These games also expose children to elements of nature, helping them develop respect and understanding for their environment.
2. The value of solitary play
As well as group play with family or with friends, getting a child to play alone can be just as beneficial as it helps them to become more independent. Allowing a child some time to themselves to play can help aid in their independence, self-discovery, and imagination. Playing alone can help children explore their interests at their own pace. They might even delve deep into a hobby or find innovative ways to entertain themselves.
Stepping back to let children play alone can cultivate independence and teach them how to be more self-reliant. Without the influence of peers, a child’s imagination can truly also take flight as they can create stories, scenarios, and games that are entirely their own.
3. Imaginative and shared play as a family
As well as solitary playtime, group playtime is just as beneficial for growing children. Family playtime can allow everyone to have a shared experience and create great memories – board games, storytelling sessions, or even cooking together can be a fun-filled family affair.
Spending quality family time together in a fun ‘play’ setting can help strengthen bonds between a family member and the child. Fun and interesting activities together can help foster trust, love, and a sense of belonging. Through this play, children can also experience different role models in their lives as adults can impart values, ethics, and life lessons subtly yet effectively. Moreover, it’s a chance for adults to be kids again and for kids to see the fun, playful side of their parents.
