2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
After a hectic holiday season, where activities of all kinds jostle, you're back to the routine. Your child is going around in circles, or is downright bored. Know that this is normal and even beneficial for his development.
Preschoolers are usually stuck in a well-organized rhythm of life, between home, daycare and often other activities on evenings and weekends. They therefore do not have to "think" about what is coming since the next moment in their life is already determined and firmly anchored in a tightly regulated schedule.
How, through our daily lives, give them time to choose, to play and even to be bored? Here are some ideas to help you support your children during these times.
- Give them time to play. Researchers estimate that a 3 to 5 year old child needs an average of 40 minutes to fully engage in a game.
- When they ask you to play with them, try leading them to an activity that they will do alone or with a sibling. To start, name them a few possibilities. Eventually, youyou can simply ask them what they feel like playing. Try not to give in to their demands and on occasion, keep special moments of play with them. They will develop autonomy to make choices.
- Try to reduce screen time. It is estimated that before the age of 18 months-2 years children should not be exposed to screens and that from the age of 2, a maximum of one hour a day should be devoted to it. Television does not promote social interaction, creativity and physical activity. Limiting its use will help optimize your child's development,
- Encourage periods of outdoor play. When possible, let them play in the yard, or stop at the park on their way home from daycare. The space allows children to play several games that they cannot do inside. Also, the earlier the child develops the habit of moving, the more likely he is to maintain the desire to do physical activity later.
- Get out of the routine. Eating dessert before the meal, not taking the bath one evening to have more time to play, picnicking in the living room, letting the children decide on the menu for a meal… These are amusing examples of “derogation”. The family will then feel a little less stuck in routine. However, take the time to name that this is a special situation.
- When possible, take a weekday off! The stress that children experience on a daily basis in daycare (noise, conflicts,proximity, schedule) is important. This break in the week will allow the whole family to slow down.
Time and space
These are just a few examples to help your little ones. By giving them time and space, you give them tools to develop well. These few tips will allow them to develop their creativity, their autonomy, their ability to solve problems, their he althy lifestyle habits (moving and eating well), to name a few.
Time for free play must be an integral part of the daily lives of children under 5 to enable them to be well prepared for school. Tell yourself that it's okay to slow down when possible!
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