It’s time to learn how to get the most out of play time! You may be asking yourself “what does that even mean?” or “isn’t play time for…playing? What am I trying to get out of it?” Play doesn’t necessarily have to be structured, but certain things can make play more relaxing, engaging, and beneficial. So today we are going to talk about why play is important and what you can do to make sure your kiddo is getting what they need.
To help us, we went to Keri Wilmot, the Toy Queen, Occupational Therapist, and author of Wired Differently: A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Sensory-Processing Challenges. If you haven’t read our first two blogs with Keri about finding toy preference and sensory friendly toys, check them out!
Why is play important?
We’ve all seen dogs play fighting, chasing each other around, and tugging on toys. And while it is super cute, it also serves a very important purpose for them. They are learning social skills, sharpening their ability to hunt, and testing their limitations.
When humans play, the same thing is happening. While we may not be preparing for the hunt, we are still learning valuable skills through the fun activities we choose to engage in. From gross and fine motor skills to social cues to logical, creative, and peripheral thinking, play creates an opportunity for our bodies and minds to work together.
This is what we’re talking about when we say “you have to let kids be kids.” Play is how they learn about the world around them. That is why it is so important for all children to have a good environment to play in.
How to make the most out of your play space
Have you ever gone into an ice cream shop, stared at the dozens of flavors, and just couldn’t decide which one you wanted? Even after
sampling several, you can feel like you’re going to make the wrong decision. Well, it is the same with your kid and their toys.
Life for a child is already pretty overwhelming. Everything is big and everything is important. So when you put a kiddo in a room filled with toys that have no place or purpose, the choice becomes too much. That’s when you see a kiddo bounce from toy to toy, not really playing but just making a mess around the room.
To solve that problem, we highly recommend a rigid organization system for your toys. Clear shoe boxes are an excellent, cost effective way to keep all of a toy’s pieces in one place while still keeping the toy, itself, visible. You can either label the box with a permanent marker or label maker or you can cut out the name from the original box and tape it to the side or lid.
Not only will this encourage playing with one toy at a time, but it will also help keep your play area clean and organized. And that organization will help your kiddo play more efficiently. Think of it like a blank chalkboard – endless possibilities!
Play before you play
A big tip that Keri shared was to make sure your kiddo is in the right frame of mind to play. A great way to do this is to engage in gross motor activities first. Things like biking, scootering, and climbing are great full body activities. Really any total body activity that your child enjoys works just fine.
Engaging in these activities first allows for all of that excess energy to be expended. That means more focus and less bouncing around when we get to the toys that require a little more attention. This is especially helpful when you are making time for purposeful play with the intent to learn a specific skill.
Play it Forward
For some, play comes easier than others. That goes for adults as well as children. Just remember that you are more than capable of making play fun and effective for your kiddo. It’s part of who we are as human beings. Sometimes it just takes getting down on the floor and being willing to be silly for a little while.
The Helm is here if you need small tips or lots of help. Please reach out if you are having trouble, and we can help make playtime fun again!