As much as we hate to admit it, some of the things that hold our children back from what the healthy play they need can be due to faults of our own. Whether because of our busy schedules or some misconceptions that we have, we might be limiting possibilities for them. It's a hard one to swallow, but it's better to realize when this is happening and correct it rather than waste time feeling guilty. So let's have a look at some of the common paradigms of modern parents so we can decipher where we might be going wrong.
Some parents resort to putting a playground backyard set on grass, but once it rains, children would have a lot of mud on their clothes. It is more practical to set one up on sand, which would double as an additional creative way for kids to express themselves by digging and building sandcastles.2. Good Guy/ Bad Guy Play Leads to ViolenceCreativity is quite possibly the most underrated intelligence known to man, and that's what your child should be working on the most. If you are always pushing them and guiding them, not allowing them to fail and to solve problems, the most rewarding part of the exercise is lost.For the adults who work too much to spend time with their families, they often rationalize with themselves by saying it is for their family. Sacrifices now will allow their children to have a better home and a better future.Slides, bars, ropes, and swings offer a wide variety of playground equipment to choose from. But no matter what type of equipment is chosen, it is recommended to select something that requires a low level of upkeep. Also bear in mind the compatibility of the changing needs and desires of the children as they grow. Doing so will help protect your investment while providing for your child's imagination.One last paradigm shift many parents need to make is to realize the role that "play" has in a child's life. If you look at many species of mammals in the animal kingdom, you'll notice the young spend a good deal of time roughhousing and chasing each other around�it's their way of developing their motor skills and cognitive abilities.The truth is that acting out these types of fantasies gives children a chance to explore the questions of right and wrong, learn negotiation, and practice controlling their emotions during power struggles. In fact, many experts say that children deprived of this type of imaginary play or more likely to be violent later on in life or have other behavioral problems. Let it run its course--it's good for them.3. Play Should be Controlled1. Dangers Are Not "Waiting to Happen"As hinted above, some parents look at play as a way to "keep the kids busy" or distract them while you handle responsibilities. This is one of the main reasons parents these days have given video games and television sets so much reign over the lives of modern children. It's understandable why--we're busier than ever and we just don't have the time, so we plop them in front of a screen and we've got hours, or even days, to do what we need to do. And then it becomes habit--for us and for them.A very common misconception I see these days is the tendency for parents to think there are all kinds of dangers out there waiting for their children. Child molesters, murderers, and kidnappers are just prowling the streets looking for them, and for that reason we can't let them go anywhere alone or even let them out of the house without our constant vigil.While there is some truth to that, be careful about taking it to the extremes. Some of the best families I've had the pleasure of socializing with were not very well off financially, and what your kids really need and want is a parent that has time for them. If you must work for a better future, consider a family business where your children can be involved.It's important to realize just how crucial the process of playing, imagining, and running around like a goofball is for your children, and make it a point to produce an environment where they are allowed to run free. It truly is an essential component to getting a healthy start in these beginning stages of their precious lives.The same is true for humans. When children play tag or imagination-based games, they are developing their bodies and minds. It could be said that a child's playground is the workshop of the growing mind.Twenty or thirty years ago, it would have been a crime to not have an understanding of pop culture. Every kid considered it an existential obligation to know the lines from the best movies and the lyrics of all the top music artists.5. Play is Vital to Health3. Pop Culture is Not Doing Them Any Favors
The same is true for humans. When children play tag or imagination-based games, they are developing their bodies and minds. It could be said that a child's playground is the workshop of the growing mind.
Author: James Druman
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