Unstructured free play It is the best type of game for young children. This is creative play that just happens, depending on what your child is interested in at the time. Free play allows your child to use her movement at her own pace and use her imagination, it’s not planned. Unstructured play could be: Explore a new or favorite play space. Imaginative play, such as making cubicle houses out of boxes or blankets, dress-up, or pretend play. Quality creative play alone or with others, including artistic or musical games. It may or may not be part of your child’s unstructured play. Sometimes all you’ll have to do is point them in the right direction: toward the jumble of costumes and toys on the floor, or toward the table with crayons and paper. Sometimes you may need to be a little more active. Suggesting, ‘How about we play dress up? What would you like to be today?’

structured play is different. Most of the time it is led by an adult. It is more organized and occurs in a certain space or at a fixed time. Examples of quality structured games can be some sports modified for slightly older children, such as cricket, basketball, netball. Or dance, music or theater classes for children of all ages. Water familiarization classes for toddlers or swimming lessons for older children: You may see these as important lessons for your child, but you may think they are fun. Storytelling groups for toddlers and preschoolers at the local library. Family board or card games. As your child gets older, the way he plays will change: he will become more creative and experiment with toys, games, and ideas. This could mean they need more space and time to play. Additionally, children move through different forms of play as they grow. This includes playing alone, playing with other children, and interactive play with other children.

For babies, the best toy is you. Just looking at her face and hearing her voice is game to your new baby, especially if she’s smiling. You can try the following play ideas and activities with your little one: music, songs, patting your baby’s tummy while you sing, bells or containers filled with different objects, these activities can help develop hearing and movement. Sturdy furniture, balls, toys, or boxes may cause your child to crawl, stand, and walk. Objects of different sizes, colors, and shapes can encourage your child to reach and grab them. Regular floor play and tummy time are very important to your baby’s development. This helps your baby develop movement control by strengthening the muscles of the head, neck, and body.

Here are some ideas your little boy might enjoy: Boxes, hoops, large rocks, or pillows are good for climbing, swinging, twisting, rocking, or rolling. Hills, tunnels, or nooks can encourage physical activities like crawling and exploring. Large, lightweight things like cardboard boxes, inflatable buckets or balls, or couch cushions can encourage your child to run, build, push, or drag. Chalk, string, music, or containers can encourage jumping, kicking, stomping, stepping, and running. By playing your favorite music while your toddler plays, you can also experiment with different sounds and rhythms. You would also like to sing, dance and clap along with the music with your child.

Arrive your preschooler Mind and Body in Motion: Playdough and clay help your child develop fine motor skills. Simple puzzles and matching games like animal dominoes help improve your child’s memory and concentration. Old milk jugs, wooden spoons, empty pot containers, sticks, crumpled paper, plastic buckets, saucepans, and old clothes are great for unstructured, imaginative play. Balls and frisbees can encourage kicking, throwing, or rolling. When encouraging your child to kick or throw, try to get him to use one side of his body and then the other. Favorite music or pots and pans are great for a dance concert or making up music.

School-age children cand have fun with the following objects and activities, homemade obstacle courses can make your child move in different ways, directions and speeds. Cooking or preparing food in simple ways, such as measuring, stirring, and serving food, is great for building math and everyday skills. Furniture, bedding, laundry baskets, tents, and boxes are ideal for construction. Your child’s own imagination. With imagination, your child can become a favorite superhero or storybook character. Rhymes or games like ‘I spy with my little eye, something that starts with…’ are great for word games and help build literacy skills.

“Free play and exploration are, historically, the means by which children learn to solve their own problems, control their own lives, develop their own interests, and become competent in the pursuit of their own interests.” -Peter Gray, Research Professor, Department of Psychology, Boston College