Question

What if the parent chooses to sit on the floor and play with the child? For example, what if the parent and child are playing with blocks, sitting together on the floor, building something together. Will the child follow the parents lead? Will this diminish creativity if it is done routinely? How direct should the parent be when playing with the child? What comments or statements should the parent make about the activity? Is it better to let children play alone more often? I am sure there are many parenting experts who would argue that playing WITH children has important positive benefits too. What do you guys think? Is there a happy medium? Are there variables to consider that make a difference in the best approach?

Answer 1

One of the important things about playing with the children is to involve when they need. Some parents always involve and make the child feel guilty of not doing something properly. These parents tend to kill the creativity of the child by making everything within a defined box. The child will struggle to think out of the box because of fear of being punished. Some parents on the other hand keep encouraging children to do in their own pace, their own way and their own interest and these children tend to be more creative as they receive appreciation and positive feedback. Although corrections are provided by the parents at times, it is very gently told. Children learn things as they do, so as a parent, one may be required to provide the initial lead and whenever the child needs. Involving in all that the child does and criticizing for not doing something properly will only shatter the self-confidence of the child and make them more dependent.

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