What if I were to tell you that a new study was out about something that could make your child smarter, happier and healthier. There are no negative side effects. It’s painless. It’s not injected, ingested, or inhaled.
The benefits:
Problem-solving skills are honed
Cognitive ability is increased
Physical health is improved
Social skills are developed
If you participate, bonding is improved
This new wonder drug is not a drug at all. It’s something that humans and non-humans have been doing since forever...
...It's Playing!
Saturday, September 24, 2011, tomorrow, is the Official Worldwide Day of Play 2011. It’s one of the best days of the year! It’s meant to be a time to relax, have fun and play! Who couldn't use some of that?
Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play helps develop problem-solving and how to be a good sport, whether winning or losing.
For adults, we get to reclaim the feeling of our youth. By taking a day to drop it all and play with our kids, we gain perspective on what’s really important, our children. Too often we get totally wrapped up and stressed about trying to get everything done. We’re working extra hard at our jobs and trying to keep the perfect house. We can lose sight of why we’re doing all this. Take a day to appreciate the beauty of playing with your kids. It can help to realize in the long run, if you play a little everyday, your kids are happier and your relationship is stronger as you bond with them during play. Playing with them teaches them that they’re important to you and that you love them. Who knew that play was so important? It’s playing and it’s awesome.
Here are some ideas to get you started. Teach your child how to play:
-
Throw a football or baseball
-
Four Square (not the app)
-
Play soccer
-
Jump rope. (Double Dutch, if you can do it)
-
Freeze Tag.
-
Use Sidewalk chalk.
-
Just go to the park or playground
Turn off the screens, leave your cell phone on silent or off or in the house. We need down time just like we tell our kids.
Whatever you do, take the time to play. Tomorrow morning, get up, throw on shorts, put your hair into a ponytail, make breakfast, then ask your child to come play with you. It’s worth every minute.
