It's Playtime!

‘Can we go to the play area?'

Asked my elder one when we were returning from work/school. Back from a full day work, my thoughts were lingering around what should I have once I reach home - coffee or tea? Still thinking, the mom in me already knew he is going to ask again. 

Again. 
And again! 

Until he gets the answer – yes or no. If it is a Yes, it ends there. If not, you have a loop and an algorithm which will keep going with more questions and answers. The cycle goes on till we have a mutual consensus. 

Some possible questions:

Why can’t we go to the play area today?
Are we having more homework?
Is it going to rain? 
Are you having fever?
Please, just for one day, we will go and come back early! Please?

Have I got my answer yet? No, not about choosing tea or coffee! About going to the play area or not?!!

Little did I realise that during my childhood times, my fellow neighbour boys used to be on the roads until sunset! We all had that evening play time and no matter how sunny it is, we loved that tan. Tan? What tan? We never cared about it.

Now, it’s my turn to take him out. I did make my choice.

Yes! We are going to the play ground. Thinking about it now, I realise how it has helped me as well in many ways. But how? It might help you a little as well.

Get to know your neighbours

This is the basic one which automatically ticks when going to the play area. You get to see your neighbours and share a general courtesy for the first few times. Later, the more your see and converse, the deeper the talks go. What a fantastic way to get to know them! Trust me, there is a lot more easiness in getting to know the neighbours when it involves kids. They grab the attention of the neighbours and the breaking of the ice is usually faster. The kids also get to know their neighbours - this will help you if you need any emergency help.

Get new friends - for the parent too!

Well, spending time in the play area will definitely get some friends for the kids. What about the mom or dad? It does help them as well to know your fellow moms/dads and who knows, they can become your good friend too!

Spend that energy

Children have so much of energy to try new things, to learn interesting stuff, to exhibit their new learnings, to keep playing till the eyes droop and till we say it's time up! Yes, it is necessary for them to spend that energy, in a playful way. Play time in a play area also means that they get their due exercise (of their tiny muscles). When you spend that energy, everyday routine gets easier. The sleep time would be early as they get tired after a wonderful play time and the need to reactivate gets them hungry to have food.

It does help the mom's too! Otherwise, all these energy gets directed back to her. Please spend that energy.

Unstructured learning

I can't stress this enough! There are loads of unstructured learning which happens in the play area.

They can count the stairs up and down; that's counting numbers.
Did you spot that insect in the leaf? What colour is that? That's colours for you!

How about some running? Why do you go across when you have an obstacle?
Why is that leaf brown in colour and another one is green? 

The curiosity is ignited when they see/try things which are new. Get them out to learn a lot other things in practise. Once they fall down and get up, they would definitely know when to stop, when to slow down and when to run fast the next time. 

Develop New skills

Certain life skills can't be taught just at home. Have you heard of the saying - 'It takes a village to raise a child'? Indeed, I believe so.

The children need to communicate with others to learn understanding and listening. They learn empathy when a friend falls down and gets hurt. They learn sharing and taking turns when you play with a few toys around. Dealing with more difficult stuff is also there - the disappointment when you have to leave home before your friend. Saying a greeting to a friend is a wonderful learning as well. I have seen children learning to drive a skateboard or kick-scooter or even somersault!

Let us put the foundation strongly by giving them a rich place to build on their social skills.

Get out to the play area now! It's Play-time!