The joys of Playful Parenting
Living the book 'Playful Parent' turned out to be lots of fun for both me and my 2 year old daughter. I am quite sure it wasn't just January that we lived the book, it is definitely going to continue for her entire childhood.
Even before reading the book, I did try to be 'Playful' with my daugther but the ideas in this book are just awesome! A cardboard box became a boat and a wooden spoon became the ore. And it was such a delight to see her imagination! She was hapilly singing 'Row row row your boat' sitting in the card board box and rowing with the wooden spoon!
Following another idea in the book, I cut pictures from Newspapers and stick them at my daugher's eye level on the door. She gets so excited everytime I change the pictures to new ones! And it is so easy to do! I cut them out and stick them while watching TV! It is fun to see that she can recoganise most of the things! And helps in increasing her vocabulary too when something new is included in the pictures.
She has learned new dance moves! From 'la macarena' to 'Brazil' to bollywood 'Lungi Dance'. Now a days I don't have to initiate dancing on songs, she herself demands it before I can even think of it! And she gives names of songs she wants to dance on! And when I do cooking, we put the songs up and I dance along while cooking! I can definitely say I enjoy my cooking much more and don't feel guilty of not spending that time with her. I am dancing with my little one indeed and doing cooking as well! What more can you ask for?
I had tried finger painiting with her earlier or even painting with normal painting brush but she was never spent more than 5 minutes with those! After reading this book, I gave her brush we used to repair paint on the celling and she had a lovely time painting with that brush! She wanted more and more. And she calls it 'Daddy's brush'. I can't wait to try painting with feathers, spray painting, block printing and many more ideas in the book!
Earlier playing with my daugther used to be tiring after a day's work but after reading this book, I have so many ideas which are better type of play and are much less tiring for me and much more fun for my daughter.
Really great idea Sam!! Three cheers for you on organising Live the book for a month initiative. I am so excited I am going to read few more books from your 100 book list!