The Benefits of Child-Directed Play

Child-directed play (CDP) is a special form of one-to-one play between parent and child in which the child directs and leads. CDP can be used with children ages 2–10, with slight adjustments for age or developmental level. Research shows that playing with your child in this way fosters self-confidence, social development and focus — all while bonding with your child.

How to ‘do’ CDP

Look for a good time to join your child in play. Get down on the floor together and, within reason, move where your child moves.

• Describe your child’s play. Channel your best radio sports announcer voice to describe your exciting game. For example, you might say, “There goes the car over the bridge.” You don’t have to describe every detail and will want to focus your attention on appropriate child behaviors.

• Imitate your child’s play activities. For example, if your child is building a tower with blocks, you might say, “Great idea. I’m going to build a tower, too!”

• Repeat, with more detail, what your child has just said. For instance, if your child says, “There’s the bus,” you could say, “Yes, there goes the long, yellow bus up the hill.” This is a good way to help a young child learn more words without directly teaching. Do your best to repeat their statements without turning what you say into a question.

• Praise your child during play. Identify specific behaviors in your child that you want to encourage. Try to comment on what your child does and how it’s done: “I see you’re stacking those blocks very carefully.”

• Allow your child to play with toys in any way that is not harmful. Keep in mind that there is no one right way to play with a toy. ■ Find more tips from Seattle Children’s Hospital for mastering the art of CDP at parentmap.com/CDP.

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