Let your child lead the game

Materials You Need: Whatever you see a moment when your child shows play interest.

What You Can Do Together: All you have to do is follow everything your child is interested in at that moment. It can be a toy or something in the environment, like a bird or a fire truck, food, or some object from the environment. 

Start by noticing what your child has noticed. It could be something to play with, like a ball or a movement like jumping through puddles. Name that item or action! "Aaaa you took the ball!" Ask your child how you can join, and then get involved in a way that is acceptable to them. If the child throws you the ball, you can return it. Focus on the activity itself, not the result.  Don't worry about whether the activity is completed or "done well." Avoid interrupting the child's play or changing the way the play naturally takes place according to the child's idea. If it is safe, allow them to manage the play, while you fully accept the guidance of the child.  It's great to ask or comment on what you are both doing - for example, "It was a fast ball, I dropped it! You got it very quickly.” Give your child time to respond. 

If your child changes the game to something new, let him/her continue to be the leader. For example, if he/she stops rolling the ball and starts playing with sticks, switch to using the sticks with him, naming that action as well, including commenting. 

You can use this activity in practically every life situation - during free play and free time, but also during daily routines - for example, when preparing food at home or at bath time ("Oh, I see that you are pretending to drive that car around the table.  Zoom, zoom!")

What Your Child is Learning: Your child proposes to lead “pretend” games and these activities develop your child’s creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Your child also learns to communicate and reason.