Play is the child's right 

Many parents today know very well that children’s play fosters their physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development.

Yet, parents do not give their full support because they worry that children are not learning when they are playing. They regard play as mere fun and believe that children can only learn the important things when they participate in formal lessons. Some parents compromise by allowing their children to play only what is deemed “educational”.

Adults cannot tell children what to do in play

Children need to play in a spontaneous and unstructured way. (Spontaneous and creative play should be encouraged) They can take on various roles and try out different ways of doing things. There is no specific rule set in children’s play. If rules are part of the play, they are set by the children themselves. In other words, adults cannot tell children what to do in play and control the learning outcomes when they allow children to play freely.

Concerned about the lack of free play in the lives of our children today

Child professionals such as doctors, counsellors, psychologists and teachers are becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of free play in the lives of our children today. Primary school-age children have hectic classroom schedules before and after school. Young toddlers’daily lives are packed with stimulating educational lessons. Parents are rushing to enrol their infants to baby genius schools.

Children are not creating anything using their own ideas in play

When asked what fun is, most children give a similar response: watching television and playing computer games are their favourites. Children are not creating anything using their own ideas in play. I have observed many preschoolers playing themes from the latest Disney movie or action-packed cartoon series. They become super-heroes or kung-fu stars.

Children mind need to be free of biases and prejudices 

When children are exposed to harmful gender, racial or cultural stereotyping from the media, they tend to imitate these role-models in their pretend play. Their minds are limited to the images which they have picked up. They need to be free of biases and prejudices, so that they can try out diverse roles in their pretend-play.

Children gain positive learning experiences from family or school related pretend-play

Children gain positive learning experiences from pretend-play with themes that are family-related or school-related. When they pretend to be Superman or Kim Possible, their play is predictable and restricted. For some children, their pretend-play can become violent and aggressive.

Children can explore and discover things in life beyond what adults can teach them 

Without play in children’s lives, there is no childhood left for them. Play is the child’s right. In play, children can explore and discover things in life beyond what adults can teach them. When they play, they begin to understand themselves and other people in their lives better. They develop a sense of belonging and are able to do problem-solving. I believe that play nourishes the mind, body and soul of the child.

Children may never be able to recover the ability to do what comes naturally to them

Parents must start trusting their instincts to do what is right by their child. There is a time for formal learning and doing the academics in the child’s life. This will have to come when children are ready to do so. They need time to develop their confidence and coping skills. If the opportunity to play during the early years is replaced by formal and structured learning, children may never be able to recover this ability to do what comes naturally to them.

Let your child play without your constant interruptions and directions

Parents need to make time for free play with children. The younger the child, the more the attention needed for spontaneous play. Let your child play without your constant interruptions and directions. If he wants to know something, he will ask you for help. It should be his time to know what to do. Take a supporting role.

Provide the child with more open-ended materials toy that encourage creativity

When choosing toys for your child, make sure they are safe and child-friendly. These days, parents fall into the trap of getting high-tech toys for children that only require them to push a button or respond to the toy. For children to use their imagination, they need to make and dismantle the toy. Provide the child with more open-ended materials that encourage creativity.

Cut down on your child's television viewing

Cut down on your child’s television viewing. Better still, do not let young children watch television. Children under two years old should never be placed in front of the television. They need real experiences and real people to teach them about the world. Parents should always be their children’s first teacher. We should give them positive role models to imitate in their play. They can take the right ideas about the world from us. We must not let Barney or Sesame Street’s Big Bird take over such an important task entrusted to us.

Parents get involved in your child's play

Get involved in your child’s play. When you take on a supporting role, you can also provide the language for your child to use. When he asks you to be his customer and make an order, you can say, “You want me to patronise your restaurant. I will be most happy to try your yummy food. Tell me what’s on the menu.”

Parents help child to expend their play

You can also help them to expand their play by providing ample and suitable props. If they like to do buying and selling, you can collect all the recycled grocery boxes and tins to set up shop.

Children like the idea if their parents seeking answers from them

You can show that you value play when you take an interest in your child’s play. If you are not interrupting, you can ask a few questions to find out what she is planning or doing. Children like the idea if their parents seeking answers from them. This role reversal can greatly boosts the child’s self-esteem and encourage him to extend his learning.

Create playful experiences without spending too much money or preparations

Create playful experiences for your children without spending too much money or preparations. Sometimes all it takes to make a successful play experience is for a parent and a child to exchange ideas and have a goods laugh while interacting with each other.

More play ideas from this web

Parents can join organisations that promote children’s play as the right of the child. Learn more about children’s play. You can check out more play ideas from this web, toy libraries or by attending workshops and seminars on children’s play.

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