What can you do for your child that can…
…improve their focused attention?
…help them be content without your constant attention?!
…support and grow their ability to succeed in school?
…spark their imagination and curiosity?
…productively and more likely positively negotiate with others?
…problem solve their way through many a struggle?
It really is quite simple…
PLAY. 
The very BEST kind–uninterrupted, plenty of time, non-adult directed, few to no screens, outdoors when possible, indoors with open ended “toys” that perhaps aren’t toys at all. Natural items, for sure. Dolls. Blocks. Crayons. Paint. Play dough. Boxes! BOOKS. Flashlights…Forts! Lego. Leaf piles to JUMP in! Puddles to splash. Pretend pretend pretend.
EXPLORATION.
Asking questions, being curious, wondering wondering wondering, looking and finding and wondering all over again. Testing, trying, struggling, failing, testing, trying once again. Getting dirty. Getting clean. Running hopping skipping biking triking skateboarding dancing–what ELSE can I make my body DO?! Sitting. Thinking. Musing over ideas. Being bored! Mixing and pouring and baking…tasting and tweaking and sharing.
CREATIVITY.
Imagination, ideas galore, dress up, costumes, arts and crafts. Glue! Tape. What can I make today? Blankets and tables to make forts. Pillow mountains! Sticks and rocks and moss become little Elf Houses. Games! Made up ones. Board ones. Card ones. Secret Clubs. Friends and instruments and a band! Watching clouds. Whispering together. Writing letters, plays, stories. More arts and crafts–designing, beading, sketching, sewing, knitting, quilting.
TIME.
Just think of all that is learned! Collaboration. Problem solving. Ability to focus–at LENGTH!
Self-direction…just what is needed to become a responsible, successful adult. “My ideas are valued and respected.” “I am a capable and competent person!”
Large and fine motor skills fully developing. Language and conversation and comprehension expands exponentially! “I am a creative person!” “I can DO this!” “I am listened to and heard.”
Self-regulation–“I know how and what I feel and need; I know how to manage that well!” Independence! “I’m in charge of ME and I am responsible for ME.”
So SO much is learned when we give our children the space and time to do what they do best. PLAY.
Play. Exploration. Creativity. Give your child the gift of TIME.
They deserve it and so do you.
Enjoy!
Alice
Author and Parent Coach
©2019 Alice Hanscam