subject: Encouraging Your Kids to Play by Themselves by:Shelby Strong [print this page] Kids are so much funKids are so much fun. It's so nice to be able to do things with them and to have family time together. However, there are times, when kids need to play independently so that Mom and Dad can get important things done. Whether it's work, dinner, cleaning the house, or just having a quiet moment to oneself, teaching children to be creative and play by themselves is very important.
Creativity can be taught at a very young age, as small as 2 years old. Babies can be taught how to color under supervision, how to pretend using their favorite toys, or how to do simple puzzles. Starting young will open a whole new world for them as they grow up and foster learning and creative play.
Children at age 3 can be taught how to use washable markers and coloring books or scratch paper to create their own designs. It won't be long until they are giving you artwork to display all over the house. Age 3 is also a great age to start introducing dress up play. Dress up costumes provide an outlet for girls and boys alike to explore fun and exciting situations outside of the home and to pretend and be imaginative.
Age 4-6 can be the best time in childhood. Children at this age are going to preschool or kindergarten and are starting to become independent. Foster this independence by having blocks of time where they have free play and can get their extra energy out by playing creatively with toys, or even reading books.
Reading books can be a great independent activity for ages 6 and older. Many children will get swept away in the plot line of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or other children's fiction or non-fiction. If you child loves trucks, get him a book on trucks and see the magic happen!
As children grow, the get more involved with their friends, but you can still encourage fun and unique activities to invite their friends to their own home, so you know they are in a safe environment and you can keep an eye on what they are doing and what their friends are like.
For example, one family hosts a movie night at their house each weekend and invites neighbor and school friends to come eat popcorn and snacks and enjoy a movie together. Another family invited church friends over for breakfast every morning before school. It is a big hit and the parents and kids enjoy it very much.
Teenagers like to have parties. Some parents are willing to host parties for teenagers and their friends with good and wholesome activities planned. If you would like to host a dance party, a Royal Ball would be a great idea. The children could come dressed in their favorite prince and princesses costumes and you could play old world or classical music. They could dance together and listen to good music and be exposed to etiquette and being polite.
About the author
Shelby Strong is a stay at home mom of 2 girls and a boy. She is also a small business owner of an at home business called My Cute Dressups. Visit her site at http://www.mycutedressups.com/. She has seen the immense benefits princess dress up costumes and boy costumes has made in the life of her kids.
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