When was the last time you and your kids rolled around on the floor together laughing yourselves silly? If you're like me, it may have been a while! Sometimes I get caught up in household chores, give errands a priority or answer the phone when I know I should let it ring, instead of making time for my two daughters. It's not that I don't play with them; just the opposite is true. It simply seems as if I'm trying to fit them into my daily schedule when in fact I should be scheduling my day around them. I used to be a planner. I would try to organize activities that I thought my girls would learn something from. I'm now much more free and spontaneous with them and I've discovered that at their respective ages of four and 20 months that this is the type of play they prefer. Here are some suggestions on how you can be more spontaneous with your children:
1. Play "Chase Around The House" - Kids love to be chased, especially if you're making a roaring or growling noise while you're doing it. You'd be surprised how fast their little legs can carry them. This exercise is sure get you're heart rate up and tone your glutes as well!
2. Have a Pillow Fight - Make sure the pillows are small and not too heavy. Throw cushions work best for this activity. Lay a few ground rules, such as not hitting in the face or on the head and when somebody yells: "stop", then stop.
3. How Many Times Can Each of You Hop on One Foot - Again, a great cardiovascular activity for you and the kids. Alternate feet and vary the directions you're hopping in. This is good for your children's coordination and learning left and right, forwards and backwards.
4. Pretend You're Animals- Play a guessing game of what animal Sally is by the sounds she makes and the way she moves. Children love to imitate animals and can imitate various animals from a young age.
5. Tickle Each other when you've run out of ideas, then a good old-fashioned tickle fight is the answer. Again, don't tickle too hard and when someone (possibly you!) yells stop, then the tickler must stop. At our house, this game always ends with a kiss!
These activities take little time play and benefit you and your children greatly. They are highly interactive, involve a lot of laughter and take no preparation. They also let your children know that you enjoy being with them and that they make great playmates.
About The Author
Heidi Hoff
Editor, Preschool Planet
Subscribe and get "100 Things to
Make From a Cardboard Box" free!
http://www.preschoolplanet.com
It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
Finding out that a child has been born with a... Read More
? Let the child choose his or her own lunch... Read More
Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
Q. How do we decide what our teens should be... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
As parents, we love our children and want to do... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
"Setting the alarm on Sunday mornings is inhuman?..God should know... Read More
What is the mystery of motherhood? I know that when... Read More
Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
The initial state of happiness about an own child is... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
It's the first day of the summer holiday. Five year-old... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
Many children are jittery on the first day of school.... Read More
If you are currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling your child,... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
Pool safety should be on the minds of every parent... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
As the father of a toddler, I am an expert... Read More
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
The human brain never actually stops developing. Beginning formation in... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
Parenting |