Be Healthy, Be Well
Incorporating Play in the Everyday
“Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable.”- Lucia Capocchione
Play. It has the unique ability to lead us back to ourselves in times of uncertainty. It encourages our curiosity, it asks us to question, to problem solve and to try things out. Play leads us to new discoveries, to sharing, to communicating ideas. It creates moments of joy and most profoundly of all, it creates connections- with other people, with ourselves, and the world at large.
2020 challenged us all and families had to draw on their innate reserves, to keep adapting, learning and finding ways to play. We utilised our environment, embracing learning opportunities with what we had in our home and through such initiatives as Playgroup at Home families have shared ways to play and connect.
We have had to use our imagination a lot lately as we have adapted and found new ways to play and connect during the pandemic. Daily routines have been interrupted and socialisation has at times been restricted, leaving many parents and children with a sense of loss. Playgroups are among the activities that many families would otherwise have been attending each week. Playgroup is about playing, being part of a group, and children and their parents having time together. The opportunities for each of these have looked markedly different amid social restrictions but have continued in one form or another. We have learnt a lot, as individuals, families, and as a community, about how to embrace these changes and with or without social restrictions, can continue and build upon some of our new practices.
Ways to Play
Being at home with small children for an indefinite amount of time brings with it the own unique set of challenges. It also brings with it the opportunity to spend time together, to connect and create new memories. We have been inventive, finding novel activities to participate in with children, discovering and creating many games that will outlast the pandemic. Daily rituals and routines, which help to bring reassurance and security to children, have also provided an avenue of introducing games, whilst providing some order to the day.
Dr Joanne Tarasuik is the Research Manager at Playgroup Victoria. Through her experience, both as a researcher and a mother to a two-year-old son, Joanne sees the benefit of seizing everyday opportunities to play.
“Quality time between children and their parents strengthens bonds. Everyday activities can create opportunities and allows us to appreciate each other and our interests,” said Dr Tarasuik.
Children have needed to embrace their imagination through the long stretches at home. Boredom, or time without adult engagement, leads to creativity and self-discovery. Parents can’t, nor should they, always be playing with their children. In addition to all the benefits that children gain from play, we recognise that children playing happily free parents to get things done. And there is always something that children can play with. They love using household objects in ways other than they were intended. For example, pots and pans and wooden spoons make for an effective drum kit. Provided access to things found in the home, children can create imaginary worlds that allow growth and fun and countless ways. Discover more play inspiration here on our website: Let’s Play!
The Great Outdoors
The outdoors provides another world for play. Exploring your own garden can bring new discoveries, and local green space or beaches welcome new perspectives. Children are free to run and play, enjoying the change in scenery and pace. Finding calm in the movement and rhythm of walking is a great steadier, as is the beauty of the things you may find along the way. Going for walks and exploring with another family, when safe to do so, is a terrific way to have a shared experience where you can connect and integrate exercise into your every-day, all while releasing positive endorphins along the way. Find some nature play activity ideas here.
Social Connections
At playgroup we often talk about our village, our community. Taking care of one another and nurturing our wellbeing has been of utmost importance during this time of upheaval. Whilst we have been unable to be in the same room as our community members, the support has taken various, and often creative form, from video chats to hugs in a card.
“Spending time with others is not only fun, but it is also important for children’s development,” said Dr Tarasuik.
Social technologies have allowed for the recreation of social experiences online. Now more than ever, families have adopted the use of technology to enable interactive experiences.
“Video chats provide young children the level of richness needed to create a feeling of almost being there,” said Dr Tarasuik, whose PhD research was on young children’s experience of video communication.
The interactive nature of Zoom and various other video communication apps allow for an enriching exchange, as valuable visual cues are shared. You could FaceTime grandma who could help you make banana bread or read your child a story. Whilst you Zoom with your playgroup buddy, you could sing and dance, and do an art activity. Even babies who cannot yet talk can take part, whether playing music with another musical-Maestro, or crawling around, being followed around by nan, via dad’s mobile phone. Facial expressions can be read, music shared and stories told.
Playgroup Victoria has developed an online platform. Through Playgroup at Home LIVE, playgroup facilitators Zoom into the homes of families for live interactive playgroup sessions. The playgroup community have also been sharing play activity ideas via the Playgroup at Home Facebook group.
Kindness
Kindness is something we all rely upon, especially during times of uncertainty. Don’t underestimate the value of performing acts of kindness each day with your children in-hand. No matter how big or small, this benefits not only the receiver, but ourselves, and our children; we learn what we live. Check on your neighbours, call a loved one, send someone a card or make someone some biscuits. These gestures allow us to play, they allow us to reach out and connect with our local community and loved- ones, and remind us what really matters: each other.
The important aspects of playgroup- play, being part of a group, and parent-child time together- extends beyond playgroup into the everyday. Play is such a vital part of our wellbeing and identity. We hope that, whatever the circumstance, you find time and joy in everyday play.
Article by Sinead Halliday and Playgroup Victoria’s Research Manager, Joanne Tarasuik