Is Structured Play with Your Kids a Good Idea?

Like most parents, I try to spend time each day playing with my child. This daily interaction is as natural as breathing, right? Well maybe not. According to anthropologist David Lancy, the idea of parent-child play is really a modern day occurrence and not necessarily a good thing. Lancy says that this type of interaction happens only in wealthy developed countries. In the journal, American Anthropologist, he stated that in many cultures adults think that it is silly to play with children. However, many Americans feel that playing with their children is the one way to raise smart and well-adjusted … Continue reading

Child’s Play

“Does being a grown-up mean you’ve outgrown child’s play?” This question was posed in the Summer 2006 issue of Wondertime. The article espoused the benefits of playing with your kids. I play all the time with Tyler, I thought. Then it occurred to me that sometimes when we are playing I am not being as attentive as I should be. In doing so, I am not reaping all the benefits of this special bonding time. When Tyler was a baby, I was certainly more attentive. I watched his every move checking to see how he was developing. I delighted in … Continue reading