Parent-child interaction is inseparable from a child’s growth. Parents are essentially the child’s first teachers. From infancy to adulthood, children are most closely connected to their parents, and the words and actions of parents significantly influence their children. Parent-child games, in particular, are essential for a child’s development. So, what is the significance of parent-child games for children’s growth?
Parent-child games are an enjoyable process where children can learn many interesting things, including social skills, knowledge, experience, and even various techniques. It is evident that parent-child games play a crucial role in a child’s development.
The Importance of Parent-Child Games in 2024
Children’s games can be divided into three types based on their interaction objects:
Parent-child interaction and parent-child games
Interaction with objects and object games
Interaction with peers and peer games
In the occurrence and development of children’s games, parent-child games come before peer games and also significantly impact the development of object games.
The Significance of Parent-Child Games in 2024
Parent-child games are a vital form of children’s play, holding an essential position in the occurrence and development of children’s games. Based on interaction objects, children’s games can be classified into three types:
Parent-child interaction and parent-child games
Interaction with objects and object games
Peer interaction and peer games
In the occurrence and development of children’s games, parent-child games precede peer games and significantly influence the development of object games.
Emotional Aspects:
Parent-child games can promote the development of parent-child relationships and strengthen emotional bonds between parents and children.
They reinforce the emotional connection between children and parents, making it the best way for parent-child interaction.
Developmental Aspects:
The knowledge, experience, and skills children gain from parent-child games are often richer and more beneficial for cognitive development compared to playing alone or with peers.
Before the age of four, children often engage in solitary and parallel play with peers. However, in parent-child games, due to adult guidance and assistance, children can effectively take on the role of a game partner, leading to a higher level of social interaction than in peer games.
Parent-child games involve a lot of verbal communication, aiding in children’s language development.
They help form secure attachment between parents and children. This secure attachment, along with the joy experienced during play, fosters children’s interest in social interactions and contributes to developing a lively and cheerful personality.
Adults can sensitively detect children’s emotional and physical responses to different types of play, adjusting the games to suit the child’s developmental level and abilities. For example, in a “running and chasing” game, if an adult notices that the child is overexerted or running too fast, they will adjust the pace or change the game to match the child’s physical and emotional state.
Parent-child games not only benefit emotional exchanges and strengthen parent-child relationships but also promote children’s development. Additionally, they positively influence children’s object games and peer games. The attitudes, methods, and interpersonal skills children learn from parent-child games can transfer to their object and peer games. Conversely, the experiences children gain from object and peer games can enrich the content of parent-child games.
Issues Parents Should Pay Attention to in Games in 2024
Parents should treat their children autonomously and equally. Physical punishment, spoiling, or treating children as toys for amusement shows a lack of respect. Only by treating children democratically and equally can parents form a relationship as equal playmates and respect their needs and interests.
In games, parents should nurture and encourage children’s creativity and independence, avoiding the tendency to do everything for the child due to high expectations. Let children be the masters of their own games, fully utilizing their imagination and creativity. Parents should allow children to play the games they enjoy and not force them into unwanted activities. During the game, parents should promptly identify and appropriately guide any issues.
Parents should choose different games according to the child’s age. They can guide children to make their own toys or find toys, enriching the game’s content and aiding in developing the child’s intelligence and imagination, as well as fostering a habit of thrift. Because young children have strong imitation abilities, games for this age group should have rich content and varied play methods to stimulate interest and creativity.
Parents should guide children to develop good gaming habits, follow the rules, and not cheat. Toys should have designated storage places, and children should be taught to put them back after playing.
While engaging in parent-child games, parents should also encourage children to play independently and interact or play with peers, fostering interest and ability in independent and peer games.
After reading about the significance of parent-child games for children’s growth, parents should now have a clearer understanding. Through games, parents can observe their child’s interests, help them develop good habits, and learn to respect others, including their parents. Therefore, parents should spend more time playing and having fun with their children.
