Freedom in Play: Testing Boundaries During Baby Playtime Can be a Good Thing
As a parent or caregiver, you probably look for all the ways to lessen risk while your baby plays.
You may often catch yourself saying things like “Be careful!” or “Don’t do that!” because you’re a good parent and you just want your little one to be safe at all times.
Some emerging research shows that allowing children more freedom during playtime is actually a good thing! It’s often called “risky play” for toddlers and children, and it could be helpful in their development. This type of play can help with executive function, self-confidence, independence and resilience for children of all ages. It encourages the use of problem-solving skills to make something safer, and pushes children into a new situation that they must figure out.
It makes sense to think more freedom during play could lead to injuries or other dangers. But when done right, research shows this type of play may actually help reduce the risk of injury for children. By engaging in this type of play, children figure out ways to make an unsafe situation safer, which can reduce risks in the future.
Play is a great opportunity to help baby learn and create new neural pathways! Just like their body, baby’s brain is constantly growing and developing. Take advantage of baby’s neuroplasticity during playtime!
What does more freedom in play look like? Remember, it doesn’t mean unsafe. It should gently push children out of their comfort zone, but it shouldn’t put them in harm’s way. It’s always important to think about your child’s age and abilities. For example, risk-taking for a toddler may be climbing on a rock, while for a slightly older child it may be climbing a tree.
Here is an example of risk-taking in play:
When children play outside, they may encounter different situations in nature. They may come across a bush with thorns. Rather than telling your child to stop or get away from the bush, you can let them observe it and possibly even try lightly touching it, so they learn more about what the bush is and know how to avoid it.
Another example for older children:
When children are learning to ride a bike, you may want them to go at an even pace. To give them more freedom, allow them to play around with their speed (with protective gear on). They can try different speeds and learn how to control their bike.
Freedom during play can also come from:
- Higher heights, such as climbing trees or structures.
- Higher speeds, such as running quickly.
- Playing with real tools or other real adult objects. Remember to make sure the tools function properly and are appropriate for a child. For example, if you are letting a child use a real shovel but the shovel has a sharp, rusty handle, then it may be best to choose a different object.
- Interacting with natural elements like bugs and plants under supervision.
- Wandering or hiding somewhere.
When allowing children more freedom during play, think about your child’s abilities. Every child is different. Freedom during play may look different for them, but they can still benefit from getting out of their comfort zone and learning how to make situations safer!
How can you encourage more freedom during your child’s play time? This means parents and caregivers may need to give baby some space to play and explore. Some of the ways to encourage this type of baby play are:
Try something other than “Be careful!” It’s great to look out for your child’s safety, but when they are told to stop or be careful, they may not learn why they should do that. Instead of telling children this, try:
- Making them more aware of their surroundings. Help them notice what’s around them instead of telling them not to do something. For example, “Do you see the bush there?”
- Encouraging problem solving. Suggest children try a different method to accomplish their goal. For example, “Try using your feet to climb.”
- Asking questions. This can also promote problem solving. Ask things like: “How will you get up there?” or “What will you do if you need help?”
Make time for play! It sounds so simple, but with homework and other activities, you may need to pencil in time for play! Make sure children have playtime every day, including unstructured play where they can be creative and explore.
Provide your child with a place to play on their own. This doesn’t mean unsupervised play (especially if children are younger), but it’s a place where you can watch them while also getting out of their way. This may be a park, your backyard, or an indoor gym or play room.
Uhuru wa kucheza: Kujaribu Mipaka Wakati wa Mchezo wa Mtoto Inaweza Kuwa Jambo Bora Kama mzazi au mtazamaji, labda unatafuta njia zote za kupunguza hatari wakati mtoto wako anacheza. "Mara nyingi unaweza kujikamata ukisema mambo kama vile ""Jihadharini!"" au ""Usifanye hivyo!"" kwa sababu wewe ni mzazi mzuri na unataka tu mtoto wako awe salama wakati wote." Utafiti fulani unaoanza kufanywa unaonyesha kwamba kuruhusu watoto wawe na uhuru zaidi wakati wa kucheza kwa kweli ni jambo zuri! Mara nyingi inaitwa "mchezo wa hatari" kwa watoto wachanga na watoto, na inaweza kuwa na manufaa katika maendeleo yao. Aina hii ya kucheza inaweza kusaidia na utendaji mtendaji, kujiamini, uhuru na upinzani kwa watoto wa umri wote. Inatia moyo matumizi ya ujuzi wa kutatua matatizo ili kufanya kitu salama zaidi, na kushinikiza watoto katika hali mpya ambayo lazima waelewe. Ni jambo la akili kufikiri kwamba uhuru zaidi wakati wa kucheza waweza kusababisha majeraha au hatari nyinginezo. Lakini ikiwa inafanywa kwa usahihi, utafiti unaonyesha kwamba aina hii ya kucheza inaweza kusaidia kupunguza hatari ya kuumia kwa watoto. Kwa kushiriki katika aina hii ya kucheza, watoto hujua njia za kufanya hali isiyo salama kuwa salama zaidi, ambayo inaweza kupunguza hatari katika siku zijazo. Kucheza ni fursa nzuri ya kumsaidia mtoto kujifunza na kuunda njia mpya za neva! Kama vile mwili wao, ubongo wa mtoto unakua na kusitawi daima. Tumia uwezo wa mtoto wa kubadilika-badilika wa neva wakati wa kucheza! Uhuru zaidi katika kucheza unaonekanaje? Kumbuka, haimaanishi kuwa si salama. Inapaswa kuwafukuza watoto kwa upole nje ya eneo lao la starehe, lakini haipaswi kuwaweka katika hatari. Sikuzote ni muhimu kufikiria umri na uwezo wa mtoto wako. Kwa mfano, mtoto mchanga anaweza kukwea juu ya mwamba, lakini mtoto mkubwa anaweza kukwea juu ya mti. Kwa mfano, wakati wa kucheza, watoto wanaweza kukutana na hali tofauti. Huenda wakakutana na kichaka chenye miiba. Badala ya kumwambia mtoto wako aondoke kwenye kichaka, unaweza kumruhusu aone kichaka na labda hata kujaribu kukigusa kidogo, ili aweze kujifunza zaidi kuhusu kichaka na jinsi ya kukiepuka. Kwa mfano, ikiwa mtoto wako anajifunza kuendesha baiskeli, unaweza kumwambia aende kwa kasi. Ili kuwapa uhuru zaidi, waruhusu wacheze kwa mwendo wao (wakiwa wamevaa vifaa vya kujilinda). Wanaweza kujaribu mwendo tofauti-tofauti na kujifunza jinsi ya kudhibiti baiskeli yao. Uhuru wakati wa kucheza unaweza pia kuja kutoka: - urefu wa juu, kama vile kupanda miti au miundo. - Kasi ya juu, kama vile kukimbia haraka. - Kucheza na vifaa halisi au vitu vingine halisi vya watu wazima. Kumbuka kuhakikisha kwamba vifaa vinafanya kazi vizuri na vinafaa mtoto. Kwa mfano, ikiwa unamruhusu mtoto atumie jembe halisi lakini jembe hilo lina kiganja mkali na chenye kutu, huenda ikawa afadhali kuchagua kitu kingine. - Kuingiliana na mambo ya asili kama vile wadudu na mimea chini ya usimamizi. - Kutangatanga au kujificha mahali fulani. Unapowaruhusu watoto wawe na uhuru zaidi wakati wa kucheza, fikiria uwezo wa mtoto wako. Kila mtoto ni tofauti. Uhuru wakati wa kucheza waweza kuonekana tofauti kwao, lakini bado wanaweza kufaidika kwa kutoka katika eneo lao la starehe na kujifunza jinsi ya kufanya hali ziwe salama zaidi! Unawezaje kumtia moyo mtoto wako awe huru zaidi wakati wa kucheza? Hii inamaanisha wazazi na watunzaji wanaweza kuhitaji kumpa mtoto nafasi ya kucheza na kuchunguza. "Kama kuna njia ya kuhimiza mchezo huu wa mtoto, jaribu kitu kingine isipokuwa ""Jihadharini!"" Ni vizuri kuangalia usalama wa mtoto wako, lakini wanapoambiwa kuacha au kuwa makini, wanaweza kujifunza kwa nini wanapaswa kufanya hivyo." Badala ya kuwaambia watoto jambo hilo, jaribu: - Kuwafanya wawe na ufahamu zaidi wa mazingira yao. Wasaidie waone kile kilicho karibu nao badala ya kuwaambia wasifanye kitu fulani. Kwa mfano, <unk>Je, unaona kichaka hicho hapo?<unk> - Kuhimiza kutatua matatizo. Waonyeshe watoto wako njia tofauti ya kufikia mradi wao. Kwa mfano, <unk>Jaribu kutumia miguu yako kupanda.<unk> - Kuuliza maswali. Hilo laweza pia kuendeleza utatuzi wa matatizo. Uliza mambo kama vile: <unk>Utafikaje hapo juu?<unk> au <unk>Utafanya nini ikiwa unahitaji msaada?<unk> Fanya wakati wa kucheza! Inaonekana rahisi sana, lakini kwa sababu ya kazi za nyumbani na shughuli nyinginezo, huenda ukahitaji kutumia penseli wakati wa kucheza! Hakikisha watoto wako na wakati wa kucheza kila siku, ikiwa ni pamoja na kucheza bila utaratibu ambapo wanaweza kuwa wabunifu na kuchunguza. Mpe mtoto wako mahali pa kucheza peke yake. Hii haina maana ya kucheza bila usimamizi (hasa kama watoto ni wadogo), lakini ni mahali ambapo unaweza kuangalia yao wakati pia kupata nje ya njia yao. Hii inaweza kuwa bustani, bustani yako ya nyuma, au ukumbi wa mazoezi wa ndani au chumba cha kucheza.