How do I connect or join my child when he/she is playing?
By: Gopi Patel, MSE.d Special Educator
Many times when I see parents playing with their children I have to stop them and give them some hints. What I typically see is the parent asking the child questions…”Do you want this?” or “Let’s play pretend”.
Just the other day my child wanted to make-believe she was a train. Instead of me telling my child, “Okay, you are the engine and I’m the caboose”…I just got followed my child around the kitchen making the same “chugga-chugga-choo-choo” sounds she was making. Before long, she grabbed my hand, put me in front of her and said it was my turn to “chugga-chugga”. It was a blast.
Specifically, what I finds to work very well is…
Don’t anticipate your child’s needs; wait for him/her to express his needs.
Join your child in what he is saying or doing—imitate his actions/sounds (for younger children).
Remember not to force your ways on your child, he/she has her own ideas about specific play.
And genuinely share your child’s interest.
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