Children of today are not playing enough

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Article 31 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child states:

1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

2. States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.

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Excellent article on “Floor Time” which is (not so surprisingly perhaps) very similar to Special Time from Parenting by Connection.

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One of my 3 year old’s favourite park games is sitting on the swing, screaming for me to push him higher and higher. Then as is often the case, I accidentally-on-purpose stand in his way so that his feet hit my bottom. He laughs heartily and with such gusto when I turn around, confused as to what has hit me. Not very dignified for me, but so funny to kick mum on the bottom and even funnier when she doesn’t know who’s done it!

My 5 year old loves all forms of imaginative play. He works out elaborate scenarios for him and his older brother to act out, right down to the dialogue. He tells his brother, “Ok. Now you say – you shouldn’t have done that Igor!- and take this slip of paper and run away with it.”

8 year old loves his Lego. We constantly lose pieces but he patiently constructs all kinds of wierd and wonderful machines with what he has available. He never worries if the younger two break anything because he knows exactly how to put it all together.

Some days I don’t like to play with my children. It’s hard to lose the – bossy this has to get done before we do anything else but look at how much housework I have wow I am so tired this is going to make so much mess maybe you can go and play outside while I relax with a cup of tea and I just watch you guys – attitude.

I really need to get down on the floor and start playing because I think they miss the fun me. I think *I* am missing the fun, playful me.

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