“With” is an often overlooked word. I order a hoagie with mayo or a burger with fries. Did you notice the “with”? Maybe not but, insert “with” between play and children and it takes on a new meaning. It means you move from an observer of children at play to a participant where you play with children. “With” doesn’t make any difference whether you’re the mother or father.
Will you play WITH me?
Ask most soccer mom’s if they play soccer with their children and most reply, “Sure. I go to each game and cheer them on.” But, watching, taxiing, and washing uniforms are not the same as “…play with…”
Behavioral therapists tell us that children use play in much the same way that adults use psychotherapists. Play for children enables them to express their desires, fears, and joys when their verbal skills aren’t yet developed.
“Will you play WITH me?”
This phrase might just be a cry for help. Expressing a desire to share things with you. But, most of all it might just wanting to spend time with you at their level. Adults head to work, team up to work on projects, pitch a proposal, chip in your two cents, grab time with colleagues, drive the car home, flop down in the favorite chair, flip on the tube, or maybe putter around the house. Or, maybe you escape to the kitchen and busy yourself with preparing the evening meal.
“Will you play WITH me?”
There are plenty of excuses. You might be tired. There might be plenty of things to do around the house. You might want to work on your own game. Perhaps, this is PTA or church committee night. There are tests to grade. By the way, have you finished your homework yet? I want to watch the news.
It doesn’t make any difference whether you’re a dad or mom, your children need to spend time in play with you and your spouse – together.
“What would you like to play?”
Playing catch helps develop hand-eye coordination. Playing tic-tac-toe helps a child learn about strategy. Card games can help teach children to apply mathematics quickly in their head. What games do you play?
With all that’s going in the news these days, it is time we begin to play.
Let’s play together!
