Marland Hill Community Primary School
Together we will achieve more!
Parent Page
Child directed play
Playing with your child for 10 – 15 minutes a day is a great way to support your child’s development and build positive relationships with your child. Play is an opportunity for your child to learn, discover and explore. Play improves behaviour. Play develops the basic skills for social interactions i.e. language development, turn taking and expressing feelings appropriately.
Tips for child directed play.
· Be an attentive and appreciative audience. Turn off the television and put mobile phones away.
· Follow your child’s lead; let them choose what to play with.
· Go at your child’s pace, follow do not lead the activity.
· Do not compete with your child; they will not want to play with you if it is stressful.
· Engage in pretend or imaginative play/ role-play.
· Give your child choices and allow them to change their mind.
· Curb your desire to ask for help, give enough support so your child does not become too frustrated but do not take over.
· Reward quiet or purposeful play with your attention.
· Have fun, these times are special.