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Structured Imaginary Playtime: Communicating Ideas Through Play

kE92-ad3iN · 3 March 2022 ·

Father and daughter playing with dollhouse

Structured imaginary playtime is a parent-directed play strategy where you can structure your child’s playtime according to your child’s needs at the time. It is done within the context of imaginary play where you can communicate ideas, role-model behaviors, and teach skills through the metaphor of play.  Children do well with this, since play is often called the language of childhood.  Children understand concepts much better through play scenarios rather than through abstract verbal explanations.

Let’s Play! Using Parent-Directed Playtime Strategies to Encourage Play

kE92-ad3iN · 9 February 2022 ·

When I was working with children as a play therapist, I would often find that children would need some initial direction, structure or prompting to engage in playtime with me. After this initial direction, they would feel more comfortable getting involved in the play and would begin to use their creative ideas and imaginations.

Mini Playtime: Connecting with Your Child in 5 Minutes or Less!

kE92-ad3iN · 6 January 2022 ·

Mom with daughter, coloring

Some parents worry that they don’t spend enough time playing with their children and feel guilty if they are not spending extended periods of time playing together.  Well, the good news is, short but frequent playtimes can be almost as beneficial as one longer playtime.  And when I say short playtimes, I mean anything lasting 5 minutes or less!  I call these short playtimes “Mini Playtimes” and they can be child-directed or parent-directed.  

Advanced Parent-Child Playtime: Switching Between Child-Directed Play and Parent-Directed Play

kE92-ad3iN · 29 November 2021 ·

Mother and daughter playing with blocks

In this article, I would like to discuss what I call “advanced parent-child playtime.”  In advanced parent-child playtime, parents may switch between facilitating either Parent-Directed Playtime (PDP) or Child-Directed Playtime (CDP).  In other words, you have the choice to “jump in” to a Directive Role to facilitate PDP where you are structuring and directing the play, or to “back off” to a Nondirective Role to facilitate CDP where you are letting your child lead and direct the play.

Jumping In or Backing Off? Directive and Nondirective Parent Roles in Playtime

kE92-ad3iN · 15 October 2021 ·

Girl colouring with her mother

Parents have many questions around playing with their children.  One question is, “When should I jump in and structure an activity, stimulate engagement, regulate emotional arousal, suggest ideas, or guide my child during playtime, and when should I back off and let my child take the lead, accept my child’s choices and decisions, follow my child’s directions, or allow my child some independence during playtime?”

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The Importance of Parent-Child Play: 10 Tips to Make Playtime Fun for You and Healthy for Your Child

In this article I provide reasons why parent-child play can strengthen your relationship with your child as well as support your child’s healthy development. In addition, I offer 10 tips on making play with your child easier and more enjoyable for you and at the same time, beneficial for your child.

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