Play is the language of children, their way of knowing the world and relating to each other. Everything happens while playing. To connect with your child through play, you need to play like a child.. Sounds easy, but we’re so immersed in our adult lives that when our little one asks us to play together, we usually don’t have time.
A child between the ages of 2 and 6 will always play. It is a stadium where fantasy reigns, which is expressed in many ways in a game. From the age of 6 they will continue to play, but priorities will change.
To connect with your child through play you have to understand in what evolutionary moment it is. This will be the best way to bond with your child, with your inner child and above all, to enjoy this moment of fun together.
How to connect with your child through play?
To start connecting with your child through play, you need to be willing to make play the most important thing in that moment. You must be willing to play like children.
This means leaving the adult position and connecting with your inner child. Only then can you take the game seriously that your child has raised and you will be willing to learn and have fun.
The basic tips for connecting with your child through play are the ones we present below. Ready to play? Get ready to have fun!
1. Your child controls the game
If you plan to connect with your child through play, your child has to decide what to play and how to play. Let your imagination and creativity control the game.
If you plan to play with your child, it’s time to stop checking everything. Your child is the one who should take the reins of the game. You have to adapt to it, not the other way around.
2. Try to become a child to connect with your child through play
We know it’s not that easy. We live immersed in our adult world, with worries, responsibilities and schedules. But, If you are going to play with your child, you must connect with your inner child.
Try it. For a few minutes, step away from your computer or phone, Don’t worry about everything around you and let your imagination run wild; Immerse yourself in his fantasy world, with all his princesses and superheroes.
3. Respect your child
To connect with your child through play, You must respect the age and evolutionary moment of your little one. Don’t expect a 4 year old to play like a 10 year old or vice versa.
Your child will have age-appropriate learning needs, skills, or abilities that will be part of the game. Again, adjust to them and enjoy the moment.
4. Take the opportunity to reinforce values and learning
Since the game is not only fun for children, take advantage of the moment to value values and learninglike this study published in omnia. If your child becomes very “tyrant” in the game, don’t scold him: teach him to play without having to dominate the other.
In the game there are rules that those who are playing must respect. There is no reason to tolerate disrespect or aggression because it is being played. You can stop the game for a moment, clarify what is not being done right and resume the activity in a better way.
5. There is a time to play
The time spent playing must be recorded in the daily routinejust like there is time to eat, do homework, take a bath or take a nap.
However, establishing or setting aside the time we dedicate to play does not mean losing spontaneity, rushing it and canceling out the fun. The game must be a voluntary and fun act; it’s the only way you can connect with your child.
6. Avoid taking control of the game
Connect with your inner child to play with your child It doesn’t mean competing and acting like a child. You don’t have to end up playing just because you took ownership of the business, nor do you have to throw a tantrum or tantrum because your child won’t lend you the toy.
Since play is also learning for your child, if you engage in inappropriate behavior, your child will learn to behave that way. If you want your child to learn to share and control their emotions while playing, you need to share and control your emotions while playing because children learn by observingas evidenced by this article published in Latin American Journal of Psychology.
7. Negotiate with your child
Children like to play the same game over and over again. This, no doubt, can be tiring for adults. Playing is a moment of enjoyment, not of torture. Negotiate with your child and change the game. They can also be distracted by doing some crafts.
But remember that negotiating means proposing and reaching agreements. Don’t take advantage of the negotiation to pretend you control the game and impose your will. Remember: the time to play belongs to your child.
8. Praise and strengthen the bond
Again it’s about exploiting the learning potential of the game. Praise and congratulate your child if they have successfully completed any of the stages in the game. Your words of love and encouragement build their self-esteem and trust in you. The child learns by playing, but you too learn to be a better father by playing with your children.
In short, getting in touch with your child through play is an extraordinary formula for stimulating his social relationships, encouraging his interest in the world, improving communication and learning to follow rules or limits.
The time you spend playing with your children is time gained in the relationship that unites you. Take advantage of those minutes to detect the emotions that concern you and help you recognize and manage them.
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