3 Ways Parent-Child Play Enhances a Kid's Psychological Well-Being
Posted on: 21 May 2021
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Imagine coming home from work after a long day, and all you want to do is collapse on your bed and rest. However, even before you take off your shoes, your child runs towards you, pleading that you join them in a playroom. What do you do? Playing with your child at such times may feel like a chore. However, if you think about the long-term mental benefits of parent-child playtime, you will not think twice about summoning every last drop of energy to play with your child. This article highlights ways parent-child playtime benefits a kid's psychological well-being.
Nurtures Strong Relationships
Building strong relationships should begin early in a child's life, and parents are in a great position to make this happen. By playing with your child, they experience joy, vitality, and resilience, all of which are essential to their psychological development. For instance, as you play with your child, they begin to feel safe and protected, which builds trust. However, if you do not spend enough time playing with your kid, they might feel insecure around adults, affecting their future relationships. If you want your child to start building solid relationships early, designate enough parent-child playtime.
Self-Control
When your kid plays with other children, self-control and manners go out of the window. For example, it is common to find a child crying over another kid's toy. Since a child's mind is like a sponge, playing with a loving adult will teach them self-control. For instance, a parent playing with their child will exercise caution and regulate their strength for safety reasons. Most importantly, a child will take such cues, which goes a long way in developing self-restraint. Additionally, parent-child playtime provides the ideal mood to correct a child when they stray.
Appreciate a Child's Needs and Preferences
Today, parents live in a society that often expects children to conform to specific ways of living. For instance, boys are often expected to play with masculine toys, such as toy trucks, whereas girls should play with dolls and related play items. Unfortunately, the norm ignores the fact that children have preferences and forcing them to do something they do not like often affects their development. Participating in child-led plays provides parents with an opportunity to view the world through a child's eyes. Thus, parents can appreciate and focus on their child's unique needs and preferences, building confidence and self-esteem.
To learn more about child psychology, look for a resource online today.