Kiddipedia

Kiddipedia

Like many mothers this week I’ve been asked a number of times – ‘what do you want for Mother’s Day?’ I’ve thought long and hard about it.

And truly, all I want for Mother’s Day is play. Time for our family to play, and for more families to be embracing the opportunity play has for our children. Here’s why.

Faced with the wake of the pandemic, images of war, and seemingly much more frequent and severe weather events – like many mothers, I fear for the future of our children, and it’s a real fear. In fact, figures show that one in seven children aged four to 17 years have recently experienced a mental health disorder. [1]

As a mother myself, but also co-founder of Wearthy, the experts in outdoor play, I think we need to focus more on the role play has in the prevention of mental health issues in young people.

Play is not just fun. Play is, in fact, the best chance we can give our children to thrive, and has a number of benefits – both physically and mentally.

The science connecting play to child development is solid. But our appreciation of the link is completely underestimated. Studies show that one way to keep the spirits of a child high is through physical activity. Through physical activity, in the form of play, serotonin is released, improving the mood of a child, overall developing their confidence, resilience, strength and sense of belonging.[2]

Activities that may seem simple are actually learning opportunities. Stacking objects, for example, helps our children with spatial understanding and builds sensory-motor skills. Hide and seek with objects challenges our children in a way that teaches them to face complex tasks, problem solve and overcome setbacks. Movement and make-believe also teach self-expression and the ability to process feelings. There are just so many ways that play builds confidence, resilience, strength and an overall sense of belonging in children.

So, when we’re talking about Mother’s Day – the opportunity to spend time, laugh, relax and know that this activity is enriching our children’s lives for the long term… What more could a mother want?

A few examples of play which you can integrate into your Mother’s Day activities include:

Outdoor Activities:

Spending time outside is such a valuable opportunity to explore and connect with nature and to nourish the soul. Nature also stimulates connection as it is the perfect balance of absolute creative freedom and stimulation of all of the senses, helping to build essential neural pathways and nerve connections for growth and development. Try activities such as counting the flowers, collecting sticks and stones for artwork, or simply listening to all of the beautiful, unique sounds the world has to offer, and then talk through what you’re seeing, hearing, and feeling to help build communication skills.

Unleash Their Inner Artist:

Participating in art is such a unique opportunity to truly express who you are, how you feel, and how your brain works. Create a canvas out of something from nature – a stone, leaf, bark, or even dried flowers for example – and use it as the basis to let your children’s imagination run wild. By doing so, children learn to express themselves and bring to life an idea, nourishing their ability to embrace the limitless opportunity.

Learning Limits and Taking Risks:

As parents, we can be risk-averse, but that’s more damaging than it is developing. Helping children learn to overcome setbacks is a powerful way to facilitate resilience and determination. It helps our children understand failure, the same as we do with achievements, and through play, they can learn from a very early age how to best overcome challenges. It is also within this element of play that children can learn when and how to ask for help – while building confidence in their own capacity to lead, manage, or seek help within a situation. Climbing activities, and balancing activities are all great play activities with risky elements – helping children to step out of their comfort zone, receiving a dopamine reward for achieving a goal – and conquering their fears along the way.

 

[1] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/kids-mental-health

[2] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/exercise-and-mental-health