Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Playing
Having fun with my kids is something I strive to accomplish. Odd as it sounds I am trying to plan ways to have fun with my children. I am not always able to take my kids places that would be fun so I am trying to do play at home. Some children need entertainment and others can play by themselves. My kids rarely say they are bored and don't have a difficult time entertaining themselves, but they do enjoy me playing along.
I read a book called NurtureShock By Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman it is an excellent and thoroughly researched book about children, parenting and learning. One chapter was on kindergarten class implementing "Tools". Children write out individual play plans and then play for 45 minutes in their chosen role, following their play plan. It teaches children self-control and context. Children learn through symbolic thought at this age (drawing stick figures, pretending, and play).
So we have been trying to play each day for 30 to 60 minutes following their own play plan. So far we have enjoyed "Town" where I have been a bank teller and a waitress at a coffee shop. Quinn likes to write checks, deposit money, buy groceries, earn money and shop at the Toy factory store. Mila likes to work in the Toy Factory and a patron of the coffee shop.
The kids are having fun, I am having fun and we are learning. Some added benefits of using the play plan are that it cuts down on arguments; if someone starts changing the design of the game I ask them if it is part of the play plan, and they usually self correct. Some of my kids can be a little bossy, so this gives them control over themselves, a very challenging lesson to teach because in essence you boss your kids to quit bossing others.
I hope to implement more of this idea with all my kids in other areas of our life, such as giving them more control in scheduling their day. I'm not sure how this will work yet but I'm hopeful to find balance.
I find (it ironic that) the more control I exert on my children the more they resist but when we work together they gain self-control and I keep my sanity.
I read a book called NurtureShock By Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman it is an excellent and thoroughly researched book about children, parenting and learning. One chapter was on kindergarten class implementing "Tools". Children write out individual play plans and then play for 45 minutes in their chosen role, following their play plan. It teaches children self-control and context. Children learn through symbolic thought at this age (drawing stick figures, pretending, and play).
So we have been trying to play each day for 30 to 60 minutes following their own play plan. So far we have enjoyed "Town" where I have been a bank teller and a waitress at a coffee shop. Quinn likes to write checks, deposit money, buy groceries, earn money and shop at the Toy factory store. Mila likes to work in the Toy Factory and a patron of the coffee shop.
The kids are having fun, I am having fun and we are learning. Some added benefits of using the play plan are that it cuts down on arguments; if someone starts changing the design of the game I ask them if it is part of the play plan, and they usually self correct. Some of my kids can be a little bossy, so this gives them control over themselves, a very challenging lesson to teach because in essence you boss your kids to quit bossing others.
I hope to implement more of this idea with all my kids in other areas of our life, such as giving them more control in scheduling their day. I'm not sure how this will work yet but I'm hopeful to find balance.
I find (it ironic that) the more control I exert on my children the more they resist but when we work together they gain self-control and I keep my sanity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)