We’ve been spending more time with Javier lately, and notice that he’s shown some improvement from his tantrum spewing days.
Specifically we have tried to ensure he gets outdoor play every day. Since he’s now in nursery, whenever I bring him home I’ll encourage him to walk up and down gentle slopes and pick up dried leaves and twigs for doing art and craft at home.
On weekends when big sister is at ballet, he gets to do some exercise at the nearby fitness corner. He was happy just being able to run up and down the exercise bench, and jumping from one circular stump to the next. He was beaming with pride as he showed us how far he could jump.
I try to bring the kids swimming at least once a week. Though JJ doesn’t know how to swim yet and is pretty happy wading and crawling about in the shallow pool, at least he gets some evening sun and splashing action.
I know the kiddo hasn’t quite come into his own like big sister has, and we need to encourage and affirm him more. He even told us one day that he didn’t want to go to school because his friends don’t like him. And I’ve noticed that he’ll sometimes stand by the sidelines while big sister plays with her friends at the playground. I think two-plus or three can be a rather socially awkward age so I’m not pushing him too much. Thankfully he’s got one or two friends he can mix around with in church, so I really pray that he’ll grow in this area soon.
Play (by that I mean exploring, pretend play, physical activity, etc) is really an essential ingredient in the growing up years. It keeps the kids happy, and when they are happy, we are too. Cheers to more play and less tantrums!
PS. If you have a little lesson to share with us, please do link up below!
Photo credit: Prune Nurture
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Yes, I firmly believe play is essential to kids, not only in the early years, but also in the school-going years.
Same here, I believe play time, and especially free play, is very important for children. I also find that my older boy, David, is generally easy to manage when he’s had lots of play time - so after school, we do minimal learning-type or structured activities at home. But for Daryl, my no2, he’s been throwing a lot of tantrums lately, and I think it’s to do with him trying to express his emotions and wants, now that he’s almost two. So… I think more play helps at a certain stage, but maybe not at all stages of a child’s life?
dottiedotz recently posted..What does it take to build a bridge?
You’re quite right, Dotz. Play channels their energy (endless at that!) into something constructive and fun, and free play allows them to explore their own desires and run with their imagination. It helps us to avoid boredom-related tantrums. But yes, I’m also acquainted with the other kinds of tantrum triggers like you mentioned, difficulty in expressing his needs and wants (communication), or frustration at not being able to do something he wants to do independently (competence). Sigh…That would need another blog post to address! Thanks for reminding me!
I find play not only meaningful because it makes children happy, but also because it focuses their energy in constructivity (play!)
Rather than spending time in front of the tv that at the same time “dumbs their brains down” while simultaneously hyper-stimulating them, free, constructive play (whenever we parents can manage) is more desirable!
Vee recently posted..[reflection] Praising our Child
Indeed, Vee, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate play-time because like you said, it channels their energy into something fun and constructive. And with play, children are always learning something (how to move their bodies, how to control impulses, how to work with others, etc), whether they (or we) are aware of it at the moment or not. So hurray to more play!
I fully agree that play time is essential!
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