Parenting Methods: Why Parents Should Add Active Play to Their Parenting Toolkit by Teacher Karen

Parenting Playtime
3 years ago

Parenting Methods: Why Parents Should Add Active Play to Their Parenting Toolkit

Out of four basic parenting styles – authoritative, uninvolved, permissive and authoritarian – come a variety of parenting methods. The end goal of all: To raise a self-sufficient, contributing adult. 

There are core elements all parenting methods need for young children to develop and grow. The core parenting elements are:

  • Being responsive to children’s needs.
  • Exposing children to real experiences and diverse peoples.
  • Providing active play. 

Play is a parent’s tool and ally. Active play with a variety of open-ended, real materials and toys plus multi-sensory experiences creates an enriched environment, one filled with learning opportunities! 

When a child is engaged in active play they are integral to the play. It requires their effort. Contrast that with passive play. The kind of play received via screens – toys based on blockbuster movies or many so-called educational toys. With pre-defined roles, there’s no need for creativity or imagination. Additionally, children essentially are spectators to the screen action. Passive play requires little or no effort and has little or no real value to the parent’s end goal. 

Include play in your parenting toolkit!

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Donna John
Love how play is being brought into the spotlight, Teacher Karen . Mike Prochaska is big on playtime, too. Welcome to the tribe! Can't wait to learn more from you.
Mike Prochaska
Glad to see teacher karen now here. She a true advocate for play. You should
Check out her new play cards and all the great toys she rents.
Teacher Karen
Oh thanks for the shout out Mike--I appreciate it!!
DoingGoodTogether
So, so true. Unscripted free play builds empathy too, as kids get better at reading the emotions and reactions of other kids. Love it!
Teacher Karen
And we need more empathy and kindness in the world!
Elisa Schmitz
Yes to active play as a parenting tool! Especially during this pandemic. Kids need to have that outlet (and parents, too). Thank you for this important tip, Teacher Karen !

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