I have 2 kids.. 3 and 4 1/2 years... I work 2 days adn they go to day care .. other than that they are home with me and each other..there are no other kids in the neighborhood to play with.. They generally play well together.. my older child sets up all of these imaginary things and my younger child plays along.. every once in a while.. the younger one doesnt want to play her game and says no.. and then we have a war...
I mostly let them play together without my input.. Sometimes I feel like I shoud be more involved.. but if they are playing nicely I dont interfere.. Of course I do have to interfere when the batles start..
So should I be directing their play or continue to let them have free play.. I do read to them before nap and bed.. sometime we do a craft but they do a lot of imagination play which I have read is wonder ful for them..
What do you mommies do????
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definitely free play! Play is their thought process. It allows them to explore, learn, understand and lots of other things.
You didn't ask, but when they fight, allow them to find the resolution instead of stepping in with what should be done. This way they can learn to do it on their own. It takes longer, but really only just a bit more and the lessons learned are really worth it!
How cool that they have such strong imaginations!
What a gift you have for allowing your children to make up their own play. :) I believe that's the way it should be. It feeds their imagination and self reliance. If little ones ALWAYS have an adult telling them what to do and when, how will they learn to make good, sound or even fun decisions? As long as they are not getting into trouble....if they have a spat or two GREAT! Then you can jump in and HELP them solve their squabble. They will learn how to do some problem solving. I think your participation and supervision in a craft is wonderful and reading is always a plus. Sounds like you already have it figured out! Rock on Mama!
You can do some planning and directing but I think kids benefit from figuring it out for themselves most of the time. How about a playdate with a friend for the older one sometimes?
Especially because they are in day care with more structure, I would let them to play freely. Let their imaginations go.
I think you're doing just fine as is, so let them free play! It encourages their creativity and won't leave them unsure of what they can do if they have free time, which I've seen from some overscheduled children.
I have 4 kids and they free play. This is their time to learn about one another, it help encourage siblings to get a long. Sometimes I do say why don't we play play douh or offer suggestions when their bored. But just let them play. It's good for them and you.
i only have one child, so i cannot completely relate....i like to let her play on her own when she wants to, because i think it's good for her to use her imagination. when i am playing with her, we play games and things she can't do on her own (plus, my imagination isn't as good as hers!).
i think free play is good, but from what you said, i think it's important that your older child doesn't always decide what your younger child does. i would try to separate them for short periods, so they can each be free to do what they want. or, perhaps you could direct them a bit, so they both get to do things that interest them.
I think its fun to give them tools for free play. Like getting the blankets and pillows out over chairs and they can have an adventure in the "cave" which is fun to do and watch.
