Winter weather keeping kids inside, COVID-19 pandemic stress and restrictions, post-holiday blues — families may be facing some serious challenges this season. Whatever the concern, finding healthy ways to play and connect as a family can be one effective coping strategy. Through its Power of Play alliance with Melissa & Doug, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips on incorporating hands-on play to improve children’s health and well-being.
Itasca, IL -- The holidays are over, the pandemic restrictions and related anxieties are still here, and a long winter lies ahead. What’s a family to do? Focus on the positive elements that are in your control. The increased indoor family time provides opportunities to connect with one another through play — and deepen relationships and important skills.
“When parents and caregivers play with a child, it builds trust and attachment,” said AAP President Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP. “Playful interactions with siblings and grown-ups help kids build brain connections, develop their emotional skills, and strengthen their relationships. During this time when many children are not able to see teachers, friends and other caregivers, the chance to play with adults and siblings in their own home can provide an important connection.”
Experts recommend parents strive to be responsive to the play cues served up by kids, building on their interests, but not dictating the action.
“For many of us in our frenzied, pre-COVID lives, finding time to simply play and be present with our children was challenging due to so many scheduled activities, sports, and formal play dates,” says Melissa Bernstein, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Melissa & Doug. “The pandemic has forced some of us to slow down and offers the opportunity to connect to children in such meaningful ways—playing games, reading books, playing catch, listening to or playing music, taking walks, going on drives, singing, dancing or preparing and eating dinner as a family every night of the week. Although it may take some effort to carve out time for these playful interactions, the more we practice and enjoy them then the more they will become part of our parenting tool chest!”
Below are easy ways parents can deepen their connection to their kids through different kinds of play, while also building on their learning.
How Pretend Play Can Help You Connect
“Pretending through toy characters (e.g., dolls, animals, and figures) and associated toy objects (e.g., food, utensils, cars, planes, and buildings) can promote the use of words and narratives to imitate, describe, and cope with actual circumstances and feelings.” — The American Academy of Pediatrics, “Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era”
Play Food: Imitating grown-ups and chipping in at home builds a sense of independence and responsibility. Involve kids as you clean, prepare meals, and make shopping lists! In addition to enlisting kids’ help in the actual cooking of meals, consider gathering some of their play food and kitchen-themed toys at the table for them to explore while you’re at the stove. Even empty pasta/cereal boxes or oatmeal and spice containers can be fun. The conversation and just being present with one another while you play (and work!) side-by-side is what’s most important here. Some questions to ask them while they are pretend playing in the kitchen:
Also, try to get in the habit of narrating your everyday activities (“Now I have to mince the onion into tiny pieces.”) Kids pick up new vocabulary as they hear you use words in context.
Dolls & Stuffed Animals: A great way to check in on your child’s emotional health and well-being is to use dolls, stuffed animals, and puppets. For example, if your child is going to school virtually, suggest during playtime they pretend to send their favorite doll or stuffed animal to school. Listen carefully to their narrative to uncover any underlying concerns or challenges they may be facing in real life. Some questions to ask:
How Creative Activities Can Help You Connect
“Adult success in later life can be related to the experience of childhood play that cultivated creativity, problem solving, teamwork, flexibility, and innovations” — The American Academy of Pediatrics, “Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era”
Coloring, Drawing & Crafts: Coloring and art projects can help reduce stress, for parents and children. Work together on a drawing or craft project, taking turns adding elements. This helps build flexibility and collaborative thinking. The outcome isn’t important; it’s about the quality time, the memory-making, and the engaging social interaction. Some points to consider:
How Developmental Toys Can Help You Connect
“In particular, children need to use their hands to explore and manipulate to strengthen those areas in the brain associated with spatial and mathematical learning. Recent investigations have revealed that during children’s play with electronic toys, there were fewer adult words, fewer conversational turns, fewer parental responses, and fewer productions of content-specific words than during play with traditional toys or books.” — The American Academy of Pediatrics, “Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era”
Shape Sorters, Blocks, Cause & Effect Toys: Children learn and grow when they explore the physical world. Their minds learn best when they interact and play with parents, siblings, caregivers, and others. Help build gross and fine motor skills by placing pieces just out of reach and having kids pull them near. Make observations as you play together. Joint attention -- caregivers and kids looking at objects while playing and talking — helps with social thinking and language. As kids play, draw attention to their senses. Ask:
Media outlets are encouraged to use these tips with attribution to the AAP, Melissa & Doug, and the Power of Play Alliance. For an interview with a pediatrician about healthy ways to play during the pandemic, contact Lisa Black at lblack@aap.org. For related photos, contact Jennifer Halperin at jhalperin@MelissaAndDoug.com.
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About the Power of Play
The American Academy of Pediatrics is joining forces with Melissa & Doug to foster early brain development and champion the health benefits of open-ended play. The Power of Play alliance will support parents and caregivers in helping children build important life skills through play, manage screen time, and connect with others on a deeper level. Learn more at MelissaAndDoug.com/PowerOfPlay
About the AAP
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.
About Melissa & Doug
From classic wooden toys to crafts and pretend play, Melissa & Doug products provide a launch pad to ignite imagination and a sense of wonder in all children so they can discover their passions and their purpose. Melissa & Doug is proudly partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics to foster early brain development and to champion the health benefits of open-ended play through their joint Power of Play alliance.