Play Goes A Long Way!

Play is super important for your Bee's growth and development. In fact, the United Nations recognizes it as a right for every child! (Ginsburg, 2007). When you play with your child, it boosts their self-esteem, helps them learn about the world, teaches them new skills, and strengthens the bond between you two.

Getting involved in playtime with your child is a great way to help them feel good about themselves. However, we encourage you to allow your child take the lead during playtime. Doing this allows your child to gain so many social and emotional benefits! When you allow your child to direct play, they go at their own speed, make choices, and figure out what they really enjoy. Studies also show that when kids get to direct their own play, it helps them with

self-control, managing their emotions, and feeling good about who they are. However, when adults take over the playtime, some of those benefits—like building leadership and creativity—can slip away (Ginsburg, 2007). Playtime is also key for brain development. It’s how little ones start to connect with their surroundings. As they explore and tackle challenges, they pick up new skills and build confidence and resilience, which are super important for facing life's ups and downs. Plus, having consistent and loving interactions with parents during playtime really helps their development.

Simply put, playing together makes your bond with your child even stronger!

And guess what? Playing with your child is good for you too! Research shows that when parents join in on the fun, they release oxytocin, the "trust hormone." This helps build relationships and can even reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and ease anxiety (Dewar, 2019). So, playtime is a win-win for you both!

And, maybe you already engage regularly in play with your child but are looking for opportunities to encourage their independence! Open Play at Tumble Bees is a safe and easy way to help foster that within your child. During Open Play, our Tumble Bees teachers monitor the gym space so that you can send your little through the gate for an hour of independent fun while you relax knowing your child is free to explore and engage with other children their age!

This month at Tumble Bees we have many opportunities for Open Play! Not only can you find our regularly scheduled Friday and Saturday Open Play times but we also have 4 SPECIAL Open Play sessions: 2 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 20) and 2 during our Fourth Friday (Friday, January 24). Open Play is a great way to be active with your child(ren), provide opportunities for socialization with children their age and engage in play and making memories together!