Mental Health Benefits of Joining Playtime With Your Kids
Multiple studies have touted the importance of play for kids. It builds imagination and creativity, bolsters social skills, and encourages independence.
As a parent, there’s nothing better than watching your child’s mind at work while they’re playing and having fun, or interacting with others and making friends naturally.
You might think that your personal playing days are long over. After all, you’re not a kid anymore, right?
However, maybe you should start thinking like one – at least when it comes to playtime.
Research has shown that adults can benefit from play in different ways. It can be a great physical workout and can boost your energy, but it also has multiple mental health benefits for both of you!
So, the next time your child asks you to swing at the park or get down on the ground and play a game with them, your mental well-being could benefit from saying yes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits that can come from joining playtime with your kids.
How Does Your Brain Benefit From Play?
Isn’t it funny to know that when you were a child, you didn’t have to think about playing? It just came naturally. You used your imagination, you built worlds inside your head, and you let the small worries of everyday life fall away for a while as you experienced the freedom of play.
Somewhere along the line, many of us lose that. You don’t often see adults riding their bikes with abandon or building pillow forts for the fun of it.
However, when your child asks to play with you or you want to join in with their adventures, you could be doing something great for your mental well-being. Some of the best mental health benefits of playing as an adult include:
- Reduced stress
- Improved cognitive function
- Boosted mood
- Improved relationships
Even playing with your little one for a few minutes in the morning before you both start your day can get you both started on the right foot. It helps you practice mindfulness, which allows you to stay in the moment and fight back against anxiety. It can also help you and your child feel better about the day ahead as it naturally releases endorphins and serotonin into your brain.
How Does it Benefit Your Children?
In addition to improving your child’s mood, playing with them has many benefits that will help to shape their character. Additionally, it can improve the relationship you have with your child and form a more secure attachment. That, alone, can improve their mental health and will have a positive impact on their relationships into adulthood.
In addition to helping with gross motor skills and cognitive flexibility, your child will also learn to better regulate their emotions.
Try introducing games that allow them to “pretend” or even roleplay as certain characters. They’ll see it as nothing more than an excuse to use their imagination. However, what you’re really doing is helping them learn how to understand their feelings and work through them calmly.
Finally, playing with your child will help to boost their confidence and improve their social skills. The mental health benefits they get from playing with you are different from those they might get from playing with peers or other adults. There’s a unique connection, and something as simple as a few minutes of play now can do a lot for your child in the future.
How to Play the Right Way
The whole idea of unstructured play is that there aren’t really any rules. However, there are some things to keep in mind if you want to make the most of playtime with your kids.
First, consider having a designated play area somewhere in the house. By giving your kids a specific place to play, they’ll be able to distinguish when it’s playtime and when it’s not. That can make life easier for both of you, and you’ll be able to more fully immerse yourself into the playtime experience.
How you decide to design and decorate a playroom is up to you, but consider your child’s interests, as well as how to keep everything safe. Some ideas to consider include:
- Furniture
- Decor
- Storage
- Age-appropriate toys and items
- Lighting
As far as how to play once you have the space, let yourself “be a kid again” and let your imagination take over. You might be surprised by how easy it is to fall into playtime once you get started.
If you’re a co-parent or your child spends their time between two different houses, make sure your former partner understands these benefits, too. Being on the same page about things is important for healthy communication between coparents, and when both of you play with your child, you’ll both boost your bond in different ways.
Your child won’t actively play forever. At some point, they’ll grow up the same way you did, and playtime will dwindle. So, take advantage of the benefits now and take some extra time to play with them. Both you and your child will reap the mental and physical rewards, and you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.
