As parents, we are our child’s first playmates and friends. Play is a cherished part of childhood and this is how you can encourage play and celebrate the uniqueness of your child
When your child opens his or her eyes to this beautiful world, it is your face that the child first witnesses. They know you by how you smell, your touch, your warmth and the way you hold them. They looked at you with wonder when you swayed your face from side to side. They giggled when you struck out your tongue or pulled funny faces. Your voice soothed them, your lullabies lulled them to sleep. No educational toy or gadget can replace you. Children love it when you become one of them and step into their worlds.
Play unfurls a different world altogether for children. It gives your child an opportunity to observe, learn, explore, follow their interests acquire and practice new skills at their own pace. The play brings out the unique intelligence of each child as it nurtures multiple intelligences. And most importantly create lasting bonds.
Apart from the plethora of developmental benefits that play offers it also creates opportunities for parents to instill values, strengthen communication and be a catalyst in problem-solving see the world through the eyes of their children. It is through Play that children learn to social skills, emotional intelligence, respecting the opinion of others and most importantly enjoying the present moment. Moreover, Play can be a stress reducer both for you and the kids.
During the preschool years, the little world of kids starts to get introduced to different people and personalities who are different from their parents, immediate family members and significant others. As kids start to interact with other kids and acquire social skills, their seemingly little universe will begin to grow in multifold. Now comes your role to encourage play as well as nurture their personal choices thereby contributing to shaping their personality. This is what you can do:
There is a beautiful world out there but there is another world of infinite possibilities and endless imagination inside of the child. It’s time we open the gates to that world through Play and watch them bloom.
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