Tip—Unstructured play time is where necessary growth takes place.

In the grownup world we call it “down-time” or “leisure” or “discretionary activities.” Kids just call it playing. Parent educators have always known play is important to children’s development, but trends in society don’t always support this knowledge. For some time now, it’s been fashionable to provide our children with so many enrichment activities, they no longer have adequate time to just hang out and play.

Why is play so important? It produces children who are happier, stronger, smarter and better adjusted. Psychologists and pediatricians agree that play is critical to children’s cognitive, social, and physical development. By play we’re talking about blocks, dolls, puppet shows, swings, sandboxes, games like tag, Ring-around-the-Rosy, and Hide & Seek. In short, old-fashioned play.

Tools—This week I’m offering you a few old-fashioned play options for the very youngest ages, drawn from Peekaboo . . . and Other Games to Play with Your Baby written by yours truly and Joyful Play with Toddlers: Recipes for Fun with Odds and Ends by preschool teacher Sandi Dexter.

• For Babies: Diaper-Changing Play You know how often you change diapers—why not take a few moments to play a fun little sing-song game with your baby? Eensy Weensy Spider is an old song that babies love. As you sing, pretend your fingers are the spider and walk up and down your baby’s leg. Your baby will enjoy the interaction and will learn to listen for the familiar song. Try stopping suddenly in the middle of the song. If your child gestures or babbles, say, “Oh, you want more.” Then start singing again.

  

  The eensy weensy spider
  Climbed up the water spout.
  Down came the rain
  And washed the spider out.
  Out came the sun,
  And dried up all the rain.
  The eensy-weensy spider
  Climbed up the spout again.



• For Toddlers/Preschoolers: Ball Play Nothing beats a new, light-weight ball. Show your young child how to roll it back and forth between you. If the space allows, let her bounce it against the wall. Show her how to bounce it on the ground. This promotes large and small muscle development and hand-eye coordination. Another fun thing to do is to cut a hole in a box (bigger than the ball). Toss the ball into the box and then show your child how to tilt the box back and forth until the ball comes out. She will be surprised and delighted. Let her try.

You’ll find more practical tips you can use right now in Peekaboo . . . and Other Games to Play with Your Baby by Shari Steelsmith, and Joyful Play with Toddlers: Recipes for Fun with Odds and Ends by Sandi Dexter.

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