TIPS FOR CONNECTING WITH YOU CHILD IN A FUN WAY
Lachlan Soper | LachlanSoper.org.au
How To Connect With Your Kids
Parents often prioritize their children’s physical needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. However, it is equally important to prioritize their emotional needs, such as love, attention, and connection. Children who feel connected to their parents are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better social skills, stronger relationships with others and less likely to act out in negative ways. Connecting with your child doesn’t have to be a chore or a task; it can be a fun experience for both of you.
In this blog, we will discuss some tips for connecting with your child in a fun way through activities such as playing together, reading together, cooking together, taking a walk together, listening to music together, watching a movie together, and planning a special outing. Incorporating these activities into your routine can create a positive and meaningful relationship with your child that will last a lifetime.
PLAY ON THEIR LEVEL OPEN A BOOK
Whether it’s a board game, a card game, or catching a ball or frisbee outside, playing together can create a positive and enjoyable experience for you and your child. As you play, be sure to be on their level for a better connection. Playing together at the same level also allows you to model good sportsmanship, communication, and problem-solving skills, all essential life skills for children to learn.
Reading together can be a fun and relaxing way to connect with your child. Choose a book you and your child will enjoy and take turns reading aloud. This helps build your child’s literacy skills and provides an opportunity for you to have meaningful conversations about the book’s plot, characters, and themes.
GET IN THE KITCHEN
For parents who feel a little out of place in the kitchen, you could start with baking some home made cookies. For those who are the primary cook in the family you could choose a recipe your child is interested in, and work together to gather the ingredients and prepare the dish. Cooking together allows you to teach your child valuable cooking skills, as well as provide an opportunity for you to talk about healthy eating habits and nutrition.
GO FOR A WALK
Walking together can be a great way to connect with your child and get some exercise. Use the time to talk about your day, share stories, talk about the sights and scenery or enjoy each other’s company. Walking together also allows you to explore your community and spend time in nature, which can be relaxing and rejuvenating.
DANCE IT OUT
Listening to music together can be a fun and bonding experience. You can each choose songs and you could even dance together or sing along to the lyrics. Music can be a powerful tool for connecting with your child and creating positive memories – kids will chat about dad’s goofy dancing in the living room for years!
TURN ON A MOVIE
Watching a movie together can be a fun and relaxing way to connect with your child. Choose a film you and your child will enjoy, and snuggle up on the couch together. Watching a movie together lets you discuss the plot, characters, and themes and create lasting memories.
GO OUTSIDE AND EXPLORE
Take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy life’s simple pleasures with your child. Doing so will allow you to connect with your kids more by getting into the same state of wonder that they are in. These include jumping on a trampoline, wrestling with each other, climbing a tree or monkey bars, playing in the rain, etc.
Many fun and simple ways exist to connect with your child and strengthen your bond. Playing together, reading together, cooking together, taking a walk together, listening to music together, watching a movie together, and planning a special outing are just a few ways to connect. The key is to find activities you and your child enjoy regularly and make time for them. Doing so will create a positive and meaningful relationship with your child that will last a lifetime.
ABOUT LACHLAN SOPER
Dr. Lachlan Soper is a General Practitioner at Avenue Road Medical Practice, based in Mosman, Sydney, Australia. He graduated from medicine in 2000 and attained his FRACGP (Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) in 2006. Lachlan has worked in general practice since 2004.
