I've talked a little bit on the concept of "real play" and how toys can affect the quality of playtime for kids. This is a topic I am extremely passionate regarding, so when I found these lists I knew I had to repost!
This two lists are from the website Having Fun at Home, and I couldn't agree more on her opinions:
This two lists are from the website Having Fun at Home, and I couldn't agree more on her opinions:
Real Play --
1. Is child directed- an adult might find unobtrusive ways to lend support or occasionally spark a fun idea, but the children have a sense of ownership over the style of play.
2. Makes innovative use of the objects available. Not dependent on expensive toys and props.
3. Is focused- Doesn't flit restlessly from toy to toy or activity to activity.
4. Has longevity- Children will return to the same kind of play over the course of days, weeks or even years. Sometimes there is a feeling of urgency to get back to it.
4. Has longevity- Children will return to the same kind of play over the course of days, weeks or even years. Sometimes there is a feeling of urgency to get back to it.
5. Is sometimes inspired by stories from real life or fiction, but not tied to them. The stories are just the jumping-off points. Real play develops the life of the mind and creates an inner world.
6. Is complex- Real play develops its own history, rules, and private jokes over time.
7. Almost always has a child- given name. "Let's go play Jibber Jumpers!" etc.
8. Is treated by children with a certain seriousness. At some level they feel there is something more important going on that just having fun. Hence the need for secrecy, passwords, sober explanations to those they take into their confidence, etc.
9. Often involves working toward the completion of a lofty goal- building a little house, making a road, digging a swimming pool, etc.
10. Is marked by an absence of self-consciousness. Children are free to giggle and be silly and carefree in a way that they wouldn't be if they felt they had an audience.
7. Almost always has a child- given name. "Let's go play Jibber Jumpers!" etc.
8. Is treated by children with a certain seriousness. At some level they feel there is something more important going on that just having fun. Hence the need for secrecy, passwords, sober explanations to those they take into their confidence, etc.
9. Often involves working toward the completion of a lofty goal- building a little house, making a road, digging a swimming pool, etc.
10. Is marked by an absence of self-consciousness. Children are free to giggle and be silly and carefree in a way that they wouldn't be if they felt they had an audience.
13 Ways Parents Inhibit "Real Play"
1. Try to keep children from ever getting dirty.
2. Go along with our culture's message to little kids that they should try to be "cool" instead of feeling free to enjoy childish play (skate boards and sunglasses, makeup and dating vs baby dolls and toy dump trucks)
3. Fill their day with too many planned activities.
4. Provide no boundaries. Children feel safer exploring and playing freely when they feel there are limits.
5. Allow TV time or video game time.
6. Hover or praise. (creates self-conscious, parent-driven play)
7. Laugh at their imagination without gentleness.
8. Give them toys that provide too much entertainment for too little work. At the push of a single button so many baby toys go absolutely crazy with flashing lights, music, voices. A child should have to work at the reward a little bit.
9. Worry too much about injury. Bumps and bruises are natural occurances when growing up.
10. Insist that furniture and toys be confined to their original uses or "show" a child how to play with something.
11. Grant a wish for toys as soon as the child expresses an interest.
12. Treat the eradication of their boredom as the parents' responsibility. As an adult I am almost never bored because I learned as a child how to occupy and entertain myself.
13. Don't expect any chores out of them. When children have to work part of the day it makes them treasure their free time more. Also work stimulates children mentally and physically.
2. Go along with our culture's message to little kids that they should try to be "cool" instead of feeling free to enjoy childish play (skate boards and sunglasses, makeup and dating vs baby dolls and toy dump trucks)
3. Fill their day with too many planned activities.
4. Provide no boundaries. Children feel safer exploring and playing freely when they feel there are limits.
5. Allow TV time or video game time.
6. Hover or praise. (creates self-conscious, parent-driven play)
7. Laugh at their imagination without gentleness.
8. Give them toys that provide too much entertainment for too little work. At the push of a single button so many baby toys go absolutely crazy with flashing lights, music, voices. A child should have to work at the reward a little bit.
9. Worry too much about injury. Bumps and bruises are natural occurances when growing up.
10. Insist that furniture and toys be confined to their original uses or "show" a child how to play with something.
11. Grant a wish for toys as soon as the child expresses an interest.
12. Treat the eradication of their boredom as the parents' responsibility. As an adult I am almost never bored because I learned as a child how to occupy and entertain myself.
13. Don't expect any chores out of them. When children have to work part of the day it makes them treasure their free time more. Also work stimulates children mentally and physically.
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