How to play

Learning to play with your child is actually harder than it sounds. Some adults/parents find it really easy, others find it more of a challenge. It is totally normal and something that parents find hard to admit. Its also OK to admit that you don't actually enjoy it!! So what is important here is that you find away to enjoy spending time with your child. There is no right or wrong way necessarily to play or interact with your kids, but its important that you do.

Quite often a child's challenging behaviour can be almost eliminated by just taking time out to connect and play with them. Let them see you in a different light, embracing a fun few minutes. I think any parent who is having to working from home or home school a child at the moment would benefit from reading this blog especially! Just giving your child a few minutes a day with no distraction can entirely change the mood and relationship you have with your child. You gain a huge amount of respect when they see you doing something just for them and in turn you will see a change in behaviour. Lots of people say to me, "my child doesn't know how to play by himself" this is often because they have not been shown how to. Take some time to show them how.. and see what happens.

Here are some tips:

1. Make sure you chose the right moment

There is no point in agreeing to play if you are not in the mood or equally if they are not either. For older children it is also worth managing expectations, how long do you have etc. If you have more than one child, be clear with them how the time will be split.

2. Turn off all distractions, the radio, TV and if possible, put your phone on silent.

3. Plan your time. If you are doing some cooking and you know it irritates you when they make a mess weighing the ingredients, do it before you invite them to join you! This way you won't get annoyed right from the start.

4. Younger babies will enjoy play a lot more if they are well rested and have a full tummy. Just after breakfast is great or wait until the afternoon when they have had a nap.

5. Find something you enjoy. If you don't like having to make the voice of the Lego man, don't! As adults we can feel so self conscious having to do this and its amazing how our imagination can fail us when put on the spot! Here is a list of fun things to do.

Older children (1 Years old and above)

- Colouring

- Drawing

- Play Doh

- Cooking

- Mud Kitchen

- Baking trays of water/dried pasta/shaving foam with play animals in

- Blowing bubbles

- Board games- don't get too fixed on the rules, turn I blind eye if some cheating is going on- its not a time to teach, its just fun!

- Take a walk and take a list of things to find. Eg. Feather, acorn, a brown leaf, dog poop... yes this is always the one they love to spot!!

- Paint each others nails (yes boys love this too)

- Face paint- let them do yours...try and relax... it washes off..ish!

- Watch a something funny (You've Been Framed is a great one) Kids love to see us laugh just as much as we love to see them laugh!

- Listen to an audio book together

Babies (Under 1 years old)

- Bubbles

- Tummy Time

- Sensory play, turn the lights down and make shapes and shadows using a torch

- Sink play, clean the kitchen sink and let them have a splash about!

- Books

- Singing- If you don't know any nursery rhymes don't panic, turn on the radio or try The Baby Club on Cbbies and just follow along with what they do!

- Get outside, show them the ducks, pop to the swings, hand them/show them a leaf and let them explore it

- Call a family member on a video call

- Fill a muffin tray with different baby safe objects. Eg medicine spoon, sandwich bag clip, tea spoon, syringe, bottle top, bottle teat etc etc. make sure they are safe for them to put in their mouth and no sharp edges

The most important thing is that it is fun! Even if its only 15 mins, that's OK! Like I said above, even if you are just snuggled up watching a funny episode of 'You've been framed' that's a start! Turn off your phone though and be totally present in the room!!

Good luck!!