Crash the Party–join your child in their play tasks today!

Have you ever crashed a party?  Well, if not, now’s the time!  If your child is not initiating play with you by bringing you a toy, then now’s your chance.

When a child is not tolerant to engage (or play) with others, you may want to begin by sitting next to him and talking about what he is doing.  Attempt to engage with your child by inviting yourself to the activity that your child is engaging in.  Crash the party!

Many times children are not engaging with toys as they were intended.  A child might like stacking or lining up cars instead of rolling them. Some children like carrying items around the house or banging items together. Mirror what your child is doing at first.  Gain his attention by stacking some cars too.  Try to change the play by rolling a car down the slide, off the table, or down the hallway.  Encourage your child to do the same.

Some children don’t engage with traditional toys yet, so we are unsure of how to engage.  Maybe your child likes rocks, playing in water, or collecting sticks.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t engage or join their play.  Join their “games” by collecting, stacking rocks, or pouring water over some plastic animals to give them a bath.

Observe!

Observation is the key.  Watch what your child enjoys doing.  If she likes brushing her doll’s hair, sit next to her and mirror her play.  Maybe you can trade brushes or have your doll dance or hop.  Encourage your child to imitate your play.  If she doesn’t imitate at first, keep trying; engage this way everyday.  This play will become familiar to her.  Make these play sessions as predicable as possible at first.  When you start experiencing some engagement and imitation, add more items and change things up a bit.

She may just want to continue with her play by herself, not give you any attention, or even push your hand away.  You can always say what your child is gesturing to you:  “No? Ok.  I don’t want to play.”  Keep trying!  Next time you may want to say: “I want to play!  Let’s play!”  Engage for a few minutes and then allow your child to reach out to you if she is ready.

Engagement may begin with one single bubble!

Once you have some engagement time going, add something new.

Bubbles usually attract lots of attention. Blow some bubbles and see what happens.  Some kids don’t like the bubbles to touch them so blow them “up-up-up” and watch them come “dooooown” to the ground.  Blow them into a tub of water and pop with one finger, or use both hands clapping together to “pop” them.

Remember to observe your child at play and do what she is doing at first.  That may just get her attention.  Now it’s your turn, so you do something to see if she will imitate.  You may have to encourage her verbally, “Now you do it”.

Crash the Party!

Once you are in, be creative, laugh, be silly, and have fun!