Parents Learning Together

It can be challenging to find ways to play with your child that are both engaging and beneficial. Below are some strategies to help you connect and nurture your children, while having some fun and laughs along the way!

Follow Their Lead – Finding out what your child loves to do and joining them in their chosen activities can provide insight into what your child needs and what their preferences are.

Imitate Their Play – When you copy what your child is doing in an activity, you’re meeting them where they are. This shows them that you are interested in what they’re doing while encouraging social interaction and language development.

Narrate and Label – Keeping up a running commentary of your child’s play while it is happening can enrich their language skills and comprehension. You can narrate their actions, label objects, or count out loud, for example “I see you pushing one red car, Vroom Vroom”.

Engage at Their Level – Bringing yourself down to their level and getting on the floor with them, shows them that you are fully present and ready to engage in their world. You may appear more inviting and accessible for them.

Incorporate Music and Movement – Music is a universal language that resonates with many children. adding movement to songs can enrich the experience, for example “Wheels on the Bus” is a great song to incorporate movement that matches the words.

Use Toys to Enhance Stories and Songs – Toys can be a wonderful addition and help bring songs and stories to life. Using farm animals when singing “Old Macdonald” makes playtime fun while adding another level of understanding.

Embrace Age-Appropriate Flexibility – What matters most when choosing toys is the engagement and learning opportunities a toy provides, regardless of the targeted age group.  A musical bus, for example, might not be traditionally suitable for your child’s age group but can offer invaluable language and sensory experiences.

Playing with your child offers endless opportunities for bonding, learning, and growing together. By embracing their perspective, engaging at their level, and incorporating educational strategies into play, you’re not just playing – you’re building a foundation of learning.