Today I’m sharing some of my favourite posts from 2009. There are too many for one post so stay tuned to more coming soon.
2009 has been a bumper year of play here. I thought I would share some of my favourite posts of the year. My mix of ages this year started with 6 months-17months, 3 and 6…all boys.
January started off with a play evaluation. What better way to make play a priority than to plan for it and see what you have already been doing successfully. We evaluate our finances our family time and our goals but do we look at our play lifestyle.
Operation Playtime was a great collaboration with four other playful moms. I was excited to meet new people and see that unplugged play remains important in so many children’s lives thanks to energetic moms. Those 12 days of Operation Playtime gave a great focus to unplugged play.
February began with an international flavour as we looked at how we can enhance our children’s play through international food. Social skill of cooking, following directions, measuring and pouring were taken a step further with a collaborative project of making 52 meals from 52 countries.
March. Have you noticed how everyone knows their rights and know one has responsibility anymore? Young children are no different. But teaching them responsibility need not be a hard thing. I share some practical ideas of how to do this via play.
Independent play easily starts when they are babies, especially if we let them. Organising to have unstructured play seems an odd concept but we do have to be purposeful in deciding what play ideas we share with our little ones. In Baby explorers I share in the moment of my 7 month old seeing his play from his perspective. He’s so different already now.
Would you allow someone to come into your home to teach you how to play more effectively with your child? We have classes for so many other things why not learning how to play with our kids.
Sometimes you just have to let it go and dance with your child. Music and movement changes moods……….for everyone also slows you down and lets you live in the moment.
Continuing the theme of developing responsibility and allow play to happen because they have a hand in it. It is easier and quicker for me to rotate the toys or books but it is much better if you start with training your young ones and letting them do it. Practical ideas to get them engaged and active in an overlooked play activity.
Teaching emotions via books seems a little easier now. I had been looking for a while for ways into discussing emotions. We had tried a few other things but I was glad to find,”…the secret to building social skills.’
Watching what your preschooler does without you directing is a lot of fun. I liked this post because it showed how playful they can be if there is no pressure.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
What are your play highlights for the year?
