A Lifelong Skill: 3 Ways to Guide Children to Play Through the Years

From engaging newborns to guiding toddlers, trying to keep up with preschoolers and school-aged children, then striving to connect with preteens and teenagers, there are many ways parents and caregivers can incorporate play into daily life, so it becomes a lifelong skill. Children of all ages explore their environment, develop social skills and form relationships, strengthen motor skills and build self-confidence, improve communication and gain knowledge through play. Here is how to encourage, support and guide them through the years.

Start early

Yes, newborns are SO small, and yes, they do sleep A LOT. But we must remember that play is the most important way that babies (and toddlers) learn. Playful developmental activities for babies can start as early as just two to three weeks old. Once they have done their newborn photo shoot — and they are no longer sleeping more than 20 hours a day — babies are ready to incorporate more activities into their busy schedules that not only support their development physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally, but keep them entertained when they’re awake.

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Most recommended activities for babies are quite simple, but still extremely beneficial — after all, the human brain grows most rapidly just after birth and reaches half its adult size within the first three months, according to a neurology study. As a result, newborns benefit from any and all interaction, from sensory input to massage and muscle movement for physical development, brain stimulation for cognitive and emotional development, and so much more.

Such activities can be performed anywhere, anytime, without the need for any preparation or equipment. Many of these we instinctively do when seeing a baby, such as baby talk, snuggles, counting fingers and toes, singing lullabies, playing peekaboo, making faces or imitating their facial expressions. Keep in mind: Face time means something entirely different to babies! They will benefit from eye-gazing from around three weeks of age and will give you smiles in return starting around six to 10 weeks. Tummy time is another simple, yet important activity that strengthens neck and back muscles — and prevent skull deformation — and should be practiced every day from day one, while your baby is awake and supervised.

Increase complexity with increased movement

Babies are able to hold their head steady without support by three or four months of age, and they begin to sit with a little help by around six months. Toys with different textures and sounds to stimulate different senses can be introduced at an early age, while seats, bouncers and jungle gyms will come in handy starting at the three- or four-month mark. Then once your baby is sitting, rolling, crawling and standing, it’s a whole different ballgame!

Older babies and toddlers alike enjoy walks and outdoor play, dress-up and pretend play, crafts and playdough, dancing and singing songs, building blocks and treasure hunts, drawing and painting, as well as water play and other forms of messy play. Most of all, if you haven’t already started, it is a good time to introduce them to reading, in order to spark curiosity, ignite creativity and enrich vocabulary. From baby books that may offer different textures and sounds to pop-up books, singalong books with music or nursery rhymes, there is a book for every age and interest. You can also change it up by reading outside, reading while eating snack, or listening to a book in the car or on your tablet. Also be sure to check out your local library that will have not only lots of great books but likely story time for toddlers as well.

At this age, you will continue to see plenty of free play that just happens, such as loud and vigorous activities like singing and dancing one minute, and quiet activities like reading or coloring the next. Toddlers also like to play the same game, read the same book, listen to the same song or watch the same movie many times. (Children in general gravitate toward repetition because it is familiar and comforting, and repeating activities is how toddlers in particular master skills and understand what to expect in various situations.) So, while it may be the last thing you want to read, hear, watch or play, you should always try to accommodate your child’s request for a repeat performance!

Keep up the good play

As children grow, their attention span and physical skills develop, they get more creative and experiment more with toys, games and ideas, and as a result, the way they play will change. Children also move through different forms of play as they grow, from playing alone to playing alongside other children and playing interactively with others. Once they start school, structured play and organized learning will move into the spotlight, when making time for play will become especially important.

It is equally important to create and regularly reinforce your rules of engagement at home, not only to find the time but to find different ways to make playing together a priority. These don’t have to be any more complex than playing with a baby is, although they will likely require some preparation or equipment. Think board games, jigsaw puzzles, construction or model kits, baking, gardening, ball games or other outdoor activities. In addition, if you were successful at instilling an interest in books at an early age, you can continue to cultivate a love of reading after your child no longer wants to be read to, by choosing books to read at the same time and discussing them with each other.

Lastly, you should encourage your child to embrace other talents and interests they may not share with you, which can lead to lifelong hobbies, sports, music or other forms of creative expression. As long as you consistently show encouragement and interest in their pursuits, you and your child(ren) can form a bond over any type of play through the years.