Many parents make attempts to establish one-on-one time with their children; however, it’s often hard to squeeze this into busy family schedules. While special outings are fun, they can be hard to implement on a regular basis and can be pricey. The truth is, having a regular special time with your child can be done at home with no extra expense and still be just as unique. Here are simple indoor play ideas to get you started:
- Play word games and make up jokes and riddles together. You can start with jokes like ‘Knock knock’ or ‘Why did the chicken, frog, cow (whatever makes you laugh) cross the road?’ Then get your child to make up his own.
- Chase, wrestle or roll around together. This kind of rough-and-tumble play can help your child learn how to be strong without hurting.
- Play board games like ‘snakes and ladders’, dominoes and simple card games. This helps your child learn to take turns and play fair.
- Read books or tell stories with your child at bedtime.
Outdoor play is not only fun, but it’s also a good exercise. Here are ideas for getting outside with your child:
- Make time to go to the park together – walk or ride a bike there, if you can.
- Give your child the chance to practice skills and get better at things like climbing and catching a ball.
- Lie on the grass and look for shapes or animals in the clouds.
- On a dark, clear night, go outside and look at the stars.
“Special time” is a powerful tool to nurture a parent-child relationship. Positive parent-child relationships strengthen children’s emotional well-being, attachment security, coping skills, school readiness and achievement, and future capacity for relationships.
Coach Benjamin Mizrahi. Educator. Learning Specialist. Family Coach. Father. Husband.
More articles on www.MrMizrahi.blog
