As working parents, we often feel guilty about not spending enough quality time with our children. However, research shows that play is a crucial element of a child’s development, critical to building their emotional intelligence and social awareness.
Prof Adam Guastella from the University of Sydney suggests meeting kids where they are and embracing incidental opportunities for play. This can be as simple as shared book reading time or rough-and-tumble play to teach children about being gentle and getting their energy out.
Parenting coach Genevieve Muir emphasizes the importance of letting our kids know they are the centre of our universe, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Investing in this short playtime can actually meet the emotional needs of kids and encourage more independent play.
Muir also highlights the significance of play for neurodiverse and less-verbal children, who may be able to express their views and emotions through play. For all children, play is essential for processing big emotions and developing social skills.
So, don’t feel guilty about not having enough time for elaborate playdates. Guastella suggests that even the mundane moments of everyday life can be an opportunity to bring play into our interactions with our kids.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/21/parents-kids-play-time-activities-time-poor-parents