It’s not all work and no play. Play is a serious business, as far as children are concerned! As your child plays, he’ll learn all about himself and what he can do. It’ll help him make friends, enjoy company and discover the world around him. By letting your child play, and playing with him, you’ll be boosting his self-confidence in many ways:
ExplorationBy learning through discovery, your little explorer develops belief in their skills and abilities. MovementAs soon as your child can move, he’ll want to play all over the house. The "I got there by myself" expression shows your child's growing confidence. ImaginationToddlers start to use their imagination in pretend-play. This is a new and exciting experience for children, and they love it. CreativityEvery child can be creative in play. Your child will be delighted when you smile at their drawings and paintings. SocialisingPlaying with friends is a great way for your child to learn important social skills like sharing and taking turns. Problem-solvingYour child's confidence is boosted by solving a puzzle toy on their own – they would rather do it without too much help. LanguagePlaying with others builds up your child's vocabulary, speech and communication skills.
Top tips to boost your child's confidence through play - Give lots of praise when your child plays well - Use age-appropriate toys that challenge your child's understanding - Gently encourage your child to play with puzzle toys - Aim for your child to increase learning in 10px stages - Let your child choose what toys to play with (as long as it's safe)- Prove that you are interested by watching your child at play- Be sympathetic when your child becomes frustrated in play- Avoid comparing the way your child plays with the way another child plays- Brag to your friends and relatives about your child's play achievements in front of them- Give your child a cuddle sometimes during play
Let age be your guide. For instance, 2-month-olds will delight in mobiles that move with the breeze, while 15-month-olds need a little more excitement - think pretend-cooking in a play kitchen.