When it comes to playing, most parents often ask the question “What should we buy?” because they worry about which toy is suitable for their child, which toy can best support their child’s development, and after buying, will there be a problem that “the child doesn’t play”? Do they have to keep buying new toys all the time? These problems can be solved with these 3 principles!!
Point 1 to start.. try choosing any toy first
When starting to choose the first toy.. of course, the important thing is that when the child tries to play.. the child laughs, smiles, and feels happy. Parents should not worry about whether the child can play correctly or follow the instructions. Just make sure the child is emotionally engaged with the toy. The chance of playing again will be very high… which is the beginning of building a good relationship between parents and child.
Point 2 The hard work for parents is how to make the child play longer
The word “long” varies in each household. The easiest method is the rule of multiplying by 3, by taking the child’s age (years) x 3 minutes = the attention span the child should be able to maintain. For example, a 2-year-old child should have an attention span of about 2×3 = 6 minutes.
As for the technique to keep the child interested longer, it is to hold on and not let their attention drift away from the toy. For example, playing with block sorting. For the 6-minute goal, focus on fun and creating laughter. For instance, parents might pretend to hide blocks in their belly or pocket for the child to find, or parents might block the hole so the child cannot put the block in, to observe how the child reacts. This helps extend the time the child stays interested in playing with the toy.
Point 3 Help teach the first time.. then let the child learn
Letting the child do it by themselves while parents observe from a distance is the right understanding. But in cases where the child has never done that activity before, just started playing or trying, if parents see the child cannot do it and shows signs of needing help, parents should step in to teach by demonstrating or guiding the child’s hand. Do not leave the child alone because it will cause the child to lose interest and not want to play with that toy anymore. After the first teaching, parents should gradually reduce help in the following times until eventually not helping at all, so the child feels confident that “I can do it”.
And the last point is to do it consistently. Make playing like eating and sleeping, making play one of the child’s daily activities.
Khun Puchit Foongchomchoey
Occupational Therapist
Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
