Kids love silliness -- and if we stopped long enough we would realize how much we do too. Set the broom down and take the distant look off your face.
Serve your kids a snack. Sit down. Have a couple bites yourself.
Then take them to the floor, the couch, or even the bed.
Get ready to giggle!!
First talk about something you were talking about at snack time. Then talk about the food you ate. "Mmmmm. It was so yummy!" you say.
Then get a surprised look on your face. "Uh-oh, I don't want it to leak out."
Cover their ears. "Oh no. Better stop it from leaking out of your ears."
"Ah, wait. I have to cover your left eye. I don't want it to leak out there."
"Ooh, your arm pit. Wait. Stop. Don't let it leak out here."
You get the idea. Be silly. Name a body part and cover it up.
Remember, this gives them eye contact, gentle touch, undivided attention, and playfulness -- all of which lead to a more connected relationship and easier time with discipline. Plus, you're developing the frontal lobe which will help them later with time management, organization, prioritization, impulse control and empathy.
Tata, gotta go stop some leaks!
Showing posts with label child's game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child's game. Show all posts
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
NEW! Coral Reef I Love You Ritual
My daughter Cynthia is very creative. In the middle of a conversation about the coral reef on a lunch date we started playing this game. Half way through I realized we made up our own I Love You Ritual. Feel free to try it for yourself. Here's how to play.
Child puts their forearm on the table with their palm turned up and fingers curled to make a “coral reef.”
The parent makes up what kind of sea creature they are and “lives” at the reef acting the part.
For example, as a starfish Iput all five fingers out and lay still on her arm, under her hand etc.
Then the parent is the reef and the child has a turn to act like the starfish.
On my next turn I was a seahorse bopping through ocean and “caught” the reef with my curly tail (which was my pinky) and hung out at the reef for a while enjoying the view of the other fish.
Then the child has a turn being the seahorse.
Other ideas were an eel (put your pointer finger and middle finger together and slither through/under the reef);
a lobster (use your pointer and middle finger as the antennae to peak out from under the reef);
a crab (use your finger nails to tickle their hand and arm as you crawl around the reef).
The ideas are limitless and it’s a game you can take anywhere. This game meets the needs of a child for eye contact, gentle touch, undivided attention, and playfulness. It also passed the time semi-quietly while we waited for our meal in the restaurant.
Come to think of it we had a fish sandwich... LOL
Child puts their forearm on the table with their palm turned up and fingers curled to make a “coral reef.”
The parent makes up what kind of sea creature they are and “lives” at the reef acting the part.
For example, as a starfish Iput all five fingers out and lay still on her arm, under her hand etc.
Then the parent is the reef and the child has a turn to act like the starfish.
On my next turn I was a seahorse bopping through ocean and “caught” the reef with my curly tail (which was my pinky) and hung out at the reef for a while enjoying the view of the other fish.
Then the child has a turn being the seahorse.
Other ideas were an eel (put your pointer finger and middle finger together and slither through/under the reef);
a lobster (use your pointer and middle finger as the antennae to peak out from under the reef);
a crab (use your finger nails to tickle their hand and arm as you crawl around the reef).
The ideas are limitless and it’s a game you can take anywhere. This game meets the needs of a child for eye contact, gentle touch, undivided attention, and playfulness. It also passed the time semi-quietly while we waited for our meal in the restaurant.
Come to think of it we had a fish sandwich... LOL
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