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
insured cleaning company Bannockburn ..Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
Self esteem in an important quality for all children to... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
There are two methods for teaching children to read; whole... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
There may really be a real monster under your kid???s... Read More
Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or... Read More
Child Car Seat Safety:We know you love your children, but... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
If you spend any time in the parenting section of... Read More
You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
expert residential cleaners Winnetka ..My kids ask me all the time to take them... Read More
'How can I start getting my children to help out... Read More
Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More
The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
During the assessment process it is of great importance for... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
Peaceful Parenting? ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
The Greatest Gifts in Life, which are always created for... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and... Read More
1. Boundaries are necessary for control and safety.All children need... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Just as every snowflake is unique, so is every child.... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
Parenting |