Balance homework with play time
AS parents we like to see our children excel academically, but we tend to forget how important it is to also focus on a child’s physical, as well as emotional development.
An increasing number of experts agree that too much emphasis is being placed on academic performance, while there is a shocking lack of life skills evident among the youth of today.
What we may not realise is the fact that ‘ordinary play’ is a valuable teacher of life skills, and that we should allow our children more time to do what they do best: being children.
Here are some activities you should encourage your child to do in addition to homework:
Play
Free play creates new learning experiences and teaches children vital social, emotional and intellectual skills.
Talk
Conversation is the best way for all of us – especially young children – to learn about our world and cultivate empathy.
Sleep
Lack of sleep can lead to poor attention, behavioural problems, academic difficulties, irritability and weight gain among kids yet, between 25 and 30% of children aren’t getting enough sleep.
Read
Books not only help children excel at school, but also teach them things they’d never learn in a classroom.
Listen to a story
Studies show that kids who are read to aloud have better vocabularies.
Wild play
‘Risky’ activities, such as climbing a tree, allow kids to explore their own limits, enable them to assess risks and teach them independence, which leads to a more confident child.
Get dirty
The next time your child wants to bake mud pies, remember that this kind of sensory play is critical for his/her development.
Play with a friend
As human beings, it is essential that we practise our social skills. The class situation does not encourage informal social interaction, and technology has robbed us of basic one-on-one interaction opportunities, so we need to encourage our children to socialise.
Help with dinner
Kids who learn about new foods, and how to prepare them, may be more likely to choose more nutritious foods later on in life.
Plant a garden
Little gardeners get to actively engage in scientific concepts and practice math skills as they learn about plants.
Play a musical instrument
Playing a musical instrument can increase one’s memory, improve hand-eye coordination and boost listening skills.
Draw pictures
Drawing allows children to express themselves and relax.
Wrestle with a sibling
‘Rough and tumble’ play teaches kids decisionmaking skills, it relieves stress, improves their ability to read social cues and enhances their cardiovascular health.
Clean their room
According to research, one of the best predictors of a kid’s future success is whether they contributed to household chores as a young child. It teaches them responsibility, how to contribute to family life, a sense of empathy and how to take care of themselves.
Write a story
By writing down stories, kids can express their feelings, stretch their imaginations and practice their fine motor skills.
Zone out
‘Chill time’ is just as important as play time and homework time. These moments allow children to reflect, rest and reset their minds and bodies.
Ride a bike
Kids who are physically active have stronger hearts, lungs and bones. They are less likely to be overweight and more likely to feel good about themselves.
(Source: http://www. parent.co/31-things-yourkids-should-be-doinginstead-of-homework/)