Play

Engage, interact and just have fun!

“Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles” – Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg

I once read somewhere that “Play is universal throughout the animal kingdom”. How true. Think kittens, you’ll automatically imagine it chasing butterflies. Think of puppies, you’ll get an image of it chasing its tail. Those images will definitely put a smile on your face.

Why then when it comes to our own offspring we often stop them from playing; playing is often regarded as ‘wasting time’. More often than not, we tend to push them to do something that we believe is more productive and constructive. In short, we made them attend classes, lessons, anything as long as it is not just purely play!

Play allows a child to be in charge. Try this – sit back and just watch. Let your child be free to do whatever he wishes. See him play but don’t put restrictions. For once, refrain from telling him what to do or how to do it. You will be amazed on how well he can actually run the ‘show’! When they play, toddlers use the first hand experiences that they have in life and in most cases, you might end up learning a thing or two from them!

As an adult we often think that all toddlers do is play. Honestly speaking, there is nothing wrong about that as from a child’s point of view, each play takes on a very different approach and meaning to them. Playing is learning. They learn to play and gradually play to learn. Play is a priceless commodity to them. Never take it away from your child. It is what they do to fill up time. That’s what they do as a child - play.

Money Sense In Kids

PARENTING

Making sense to the monetary world to the kids

I don’t remember at what age money first fascinated me. I do remember though that I was always on the look out for coins on the ground. The joy of discovering them was just priceless; not that I could do much with them though.

Kids these days have it better than us. They are often pampered with luxury but I try not to splurge on my kid. I want him to learn to appreciate money. As they say, “Today’s pennies are tomorrow’s dollars”

Teaching kids about money

I started introducing money to my kid when he was two. By then he already knew his numbers well so associating them with the value of money was easy. He is now 2 years plus and recognizes the value for each coin and dollar.

When we shop or eat out, I always let him pay. By having hands on experiences on seeing money-exchanging hands, he understands the concept that money can be traded off with objects and stuffs.

Teaching kids to be responsible with money

Each day before he goes to school, I’ll give him a couple of coins to be placed safely in the pocket of his pants. He will jump and the jingling sound of the coins makes him pretty excited. He will also make sure that the coins remain there in his pocket until the moment he reaches home. Though they are merely a few cents to us, to him they mean a great lot!

In a few years when he is 7 onwards, he’ll be old enough to be introduced to pocket money. He will then learn to make his own budget. I hope he will be wise enough to spend and save some.

For now, I better make a trip to the nearest bank and open a bank account for him. He has accumulated a considerable amount of cash from his birthdays and other previous occasions. It will be great to let him have his first experience in depositing money in a real bank.

P/S: This article is also featured in VenusBuzz as part of my weekly contribution :)