How to Play with Your Child to Support Growth? A Psychologist's Tips
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Spontaneous, enjoyable, and voluntary – these are the traits that define play. For a child, it is a natural way of exploring the world. For a parent, it can be a chance to build a positive bond and support their child's development. How can you make shared play both joyful and educational?
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illustration: DALL-E AI [public domain]Every parent should remember that their active involvement in play is not needed at every stage of a child’s development. The youngest children begin by playing alone, exploring their bodies and surroundings. Over time, objects enter their world – rattles, stuffed animals, and blocks, which they touch, bite, and throw.
“By the end of the toddler stage, children begin to notice others and their toys. Group play appears only in preschool years, and that’s when an adult can act as a guide,” explains psychologist Karolina Kolman, an expert for the #MAMYNATORADĘ advice platform by the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation. “Their role is to teach cooperation, help cope with failure, and encourage children to take on challenges.”
Which Activities Support Development the Most?
Depending on a child`s stage of development, it`s worth choosing the right activities:
- Pretend play – children imitate adults, taking on roles like doctor, teacher, or cook. Joining them in such play helps parents teach important behaviors, such as how to act in a doctor’s office.
- Constructive play – building with blocks, solving puzzles, or making models from clay supports creativity, logical thinking, and manual skills.
- Physical activities – jumping, running, and climbing are key for physical growth. Parents should allow freedom and step in only if safety is at risk.
- Experiments and exploratory play – these let children explore the world, for example, through observing nature, playing with water, or simple home experiments.
#MAMYNATORADĘ. Listen to the podcast for parents
How Much Time Per Day Should You Spend Playing?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much time a parent should play with their child daily. What matters most is full engagement. Fifteen minutes of focused play is better than two distracted hours with a phone in hand.
“Children let us know when they want company and when they prefer to play alone,” explains psychologist Karolina Kolman, expert from the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation. “It’s important to learn to read those signals.”
Are Toys Essential?
Toys are helpful, but having too many can overwhelm a child and limit their creativity. Sometimes a pot and a wooden spoon can be better play tools than a high-tech gadget. It’s key that toys are age-appropriate and support development rather than hold it back.
Technology like TV or video games can interest children, but they should be used in moderation. Too much screen time may harm focus and cognitive growth.
Learning to Share Toys
If a child has siblings, it`s worth teaching them how to manage their toys. The three-box method can help avoid conflicts:
- First box – toys just for one child.
- Second box – toys for the other child.
- Third box – shared toys available to all.
A child should not be forced to share. It’s good to teach that saying no is okay, but also encourage shared play.
“Play is a key part of a child’s world. By being part of it, we can not only support proper development but also build strong, lasting bonds,” emphasizes psychologist Karolina Kolman. “Let’s be mindful of how we spend time with our children.”
Tips for Parents
- Fully engage in play, even if it`s just 15 minutes a day.
- Don’t overwhelm children with toys – simplicity fuels creativity.
- Limit tech use and encourage physical activity.
- Support independence, but be ready for joint play when your child needs it.
This advice is part of the #MAMYNATORADĘ social project, aimed at helping parents support the proper development of children. Free parenting guides are created by experienced educators, child psychologists, and speech therapists with school and preschool practice. The Reporterzy.info weekly is the project’s media patron. https://operator.edu.pl/pl/poradnia
The project is run by the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty educational foundation. It is funded through voluntary donations and 1.5% PIT tax contributions KRS 00000 44866.
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Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation has been active in education and social work since 2001 and supports local governments in running educational projects. The foundation is a public benefit organization. It runs free public preschools and schools across Poland, serving over 9,000 children. It also implements national educational, social, and development projects: #MAMYNATORADĘ. Parenting Guides • We Care About #EMOOOCJE. Psychological Support in Schools and Preschools • #LabOOOratorium. Create Innovations with Us.
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