3 Reasons to Play with Your Child

Your child’s first years are the perfect time to set a good foundation for growth and development. It is a time of learning and exploring, where your child will begin to be curious about the world. During this time, you may be tempted to fill your child’s schedule with tons of classes. While it’s always good to think of giving your child a head start, there is one important aspect of growing up that parents often neglect, which is play time. Here’s why you should be looking at playing with your child.

1.    Reducing Stress
Life in general can be stressful. As a parent, you probably know how it feels to be stressed out sometimes. Your child is no different. A child may seem carefree most of the time, they can feel stress from being overwhelmed with activities, or even from strong emotions at home. For example, an argument between you and your partner may be a source of stress for your child. One way to relieve this stress is through play time. After all, play is known as a source of fun, and fun is a great way to get rid of all that built up stress. When your child is concentrating on something that brings joy, you’ll be helping take his or her mind off something stressful.

2.    Setting the Foundation for Learning
Playing with your child doesn’t have to be without purpose. For example, a game as simple as rearranging puzzle blocks will encourage your child’s creativity. Blocks can be tools for math, and naming objects can be a wonderful game for your child. Improve your child’s hand eye coordination with simple activities such as passing the ball. Playing is a great way to encourage your child to learn. More than that, it sets the tone in teaching your child to see learning new skills as a fun thing to do.

3.    Building a Healthy Body
Play time can be a time for physical activity and exercise. At the park, there are various ways your child can get a good workout while having fun. Climbing around the playground will help build a healthy body, while running can help improve stamina. It is also an opportunity for your child to learn to play with others. Sharing the see saw, or taking turns on the swings are good values for your child to learn.

If you don’t know where to start, there are lots of resources on the internet on how you can play with your child. So, now that you know the importance of play time, why not plan to spend some time playing with your child? You’ll be able to support your child’s growth and development, and more importantly have a loving bond with your child.

Of course, healthy play needs to be supplemented by healthy nutrition. Plan out a balanced diet for your child with a healthy serving of each food group, such as fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. Your child can also try LACTOGROW^® Aktif 3, a formulated milk powder developed for children aged 1 to 3 years old. It contains GROW PLUS with important nutrients and DHA to support your child's great growth!

Raising your child has its ups and downs. But as parents, learn to appreciate the good times with your child, and remember that happy kids grow better!