The Importance of Playing with Your Children

Being a parent is at once challenging and rewarding, and the same can be true for playing with our children. Just about every parent can relate to the scenario of being exhausted from caring for your kids, only to be asked to play with them. At the same time, connection with your children is precious, and time spent playing with them can nurture that. While you might feel silly at first, if you relax, eliminate distractions like your cell phone, and have some fun with your child, you will find that both you and your child will benefit. Playing with your child helps you connect with your child, and it causes your brain to release oxytocin, which will make you feel better, even if you’re tired. For children, playing with parents is important.

Building Better Brains

You may already know this, but children learn best by playing. When they play, they develop social skills, self-control, creativity, gross motor skills, cognitive flexibility, and more. What you may not know is that playing with parents helps with some of these things more than playing with other children does. Adults bring a perspective to the games that widens a child’s horizons. What’s more, research indicates that the most important factor in healthy brain development is close relationships with caring adults. Especially during the early years, strengthening the relationship between you and your child through play is actually helping to shape the architecture of the child’s brain, forming and strengthening new connections between brain cells.

Play Doesn’t Necessarily Have to Mean Toys

If you are thinking that you can’t possibly squeeze play time into your day, consider this: just about everything can be turned into a game. Driving to school? Play I-spy or a guessing game, or let the child who got ready first choose the music. Cleaning the house? Turn up the music and turn it into a dance party, or create contests to make it more fun. Who can put away five toys the fastest? Who can match the most pairs of socks? The point is to create joyful, loving interaction between you and your children, and while chore games don’t replace a good story or a game of make believe, they can be a point of connection. Another intentional way to connect with your children is through rituals. If you already have a bedtime routine, that is a ritual, because it is a predictable, comforting element of your child’s day. Build rituals into your life, from throwing “family parties” on lower-tier holidays to sharing the best and worst parts of your day over dinner. Take the time to interact with your children in a positive way, noticing the good things they do, along with their preferences and interests. Offer encouragement often, and find ways to connect. Remember, when your children are asking for your attention, they are really seeking a relationship with you, and that’s a good thing.

One on One Time is Key in Building Relationships

Think about it. All the relationships in your life, whether friendships, familial connections, or romantic relationships, grew out of time spent together one on one. You have probably noticed that spending time alone with your partner makes that relationship stronger. The same is true for your relationships with your children. Giving each child a little bit of focused attention, even 15 minutes a day, can go a long way towards building your bond. Let your child lead this play time, and don’t try to make it a learning experience. Just give your child your undivided attention, engaging in an activity the child feels is important.

Center for Vasectomy Reversal Loves Helping Families Grow and Thrive

Check back here often for advice and information designed to help you and your family live your best lives. At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people build healthy, happy families, by helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more about the work we do or our discounts for active duty military and veterans, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.