How to use playtime to bond with your kids

Spending time with your child as they play is an excellent opportunity to nurture a strong relationship with them. Research has shown that parents playing with kids can increase their creativity, cognitive skills, regulation of emotions, memory, motor skills, and peer leadership skill.

It isn't always easy, though. After a long day at work, you might look forward to coming home and resting. But soon, you find your child jumping, hopping, and demanding you to play with them. Playing after a full day of work could sometimes seem like a chore, but playing with your children has a lot of positive effects, including building core memories with them. Here are a few ways to bond with your children through active playtime. 

Ways to bond with your children during playtime   

Mutual interaction

Not just listen to your child, but interact with them. While they are talking, do not interrupt. Once they are done talking about something, ask questions and show curiosity about what they are doing. This way, the child will understand your interest in them, making it easy for them to open up to you. 

Loosen up

Kids are under supervision and discipline for most of their day in school and study time at home. So having a few hours of unstructured playtime is vital. Go with the flow and let your child decide how they want to play. Having no rules to follow offers a sense of freedom and fun. 

Share your passions

Sharing your passions with them as they grow up is important too. This is an opportunity for you to build a healthy relationship with your child by guiding them in something you love, are passionate about, and are well versed in.

Being non-judgmental

Support your child's activities by providing a judgment-free environment. By focusing more on your child's feelings and actions during play, you can get to know them better. Children express themselves differently when having fun and playing. You get direct access to this side of your child when you share playtime with them. Moreover, a non-judgemental space might create a safe environment for the child to open up to you more in the future.

By being your child's playtime partner, you can strengthen the parent-child connection and cooperation from your child's side in the future in all activities. Interacting with your child and engaging them at their level will increase their self-esteem.
 

At byjuslearning.com, we provide curriculum-aligned, grade-level learning experiences for kids between ages 4 to 8, helping them build on skills they learn in school. 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, provide medical or behavioral advice, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, or behavior. You should consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child's development to make a medical diagnosis, determine a treatment for a medical condition, or obtain other related advice.

Source

1. "Resources for childcare provider". Exchange Family Center,https://www.exchangefamilycenter.org/ professionals/resources-for-childcare-providers