Why Playtime With Dad Is More Important Than You Think!

For any growing child, playtime is more important than we give credit for. When the baby is just 3 months old, one starts encouraging playtime. However, playtime does not only mean trying to grab or kick out some dangling toys at that age, it also means playtime with parents, in which the father has a pivotal role to play. Read on to know why dads play an important role in playing with their kids.

In This Article

How Do Dads Play?

How Do Dads Play
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Over the years, various researchers have pointed to the fact that fathers have a pivotal role in a child’s mental and physical growth, and development. And why not? Each parent has their way of dealing with kids. Fathers are more associated with rough and tough play situations, which includes loads of tickling, bouncing, throwing kids in the air, and chasing; in short, the type of play you can call rough-and-tumble-play.

How Does Playtime With Dads Affect The Child?

How Does Playtime With Dads Affect The Child
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One should not underestimate the importance of the rough-and-tumble-play that dads have with their kids. It is said to play an important role in helping the kid with self-regulation and dealing with difficult emotions. This is because this type of play is known to excite the child, which also gives them a chance to learn to calm down. Apart from these, it also has few other benefits for the kids. Read on to learn more:

1. Helps In Language Development

Helps In Language Development
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Fathers are known to ask more questions and speak in ways that challenge the child’s developing language skills while teaching them about social communication exchanges.

2. Helps In Problem Solving And Motor Development

Helps In Problem Solving And Motor Development
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Fathers have their unique playstyle. Kids who are known to play with dads have good adaptive and problem-solving skills compared to kids who do not get much playtime with their dads. Further, they are more playful, skillful, resourceful, and attentive to any problem put in front of them. Also, since dads play more rough-and-tumble and one-one games with their kids, it helps promote risk-taking abilities and motor development skills in kids.

3. Exploration and Security

Exploration and Security
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Dad’s style of playing also involves promoting world exploration. This enables kids to be more curious and eager to explore their environment and react positively to new things. It also helps the kids tackle unfamiliar situations and handle stressful situations better.

4. Helps Build Stronger Relationship With Dad

Helps Build Stronger Relationship With Dad
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Playing with dads adds vitality and resilience to their relationship. It helps the kids to connect to a deeper level with their dads. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in creating a positive bond with dad and also helps in resolving conflicts.

5. Helps Expand A Child’s Creative Horizon

Helps Expand A Child’s Creative Horizon
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Dads like to be creative with their kids when it comes to playing. Be it imagination or coming up with alternate uses of a product, dads are known to be masters of this skill. That is why kids playing with their dads benefit from more creativity. It opens opportunities for trying out new ideas and ways of thinking, including problem-solving.

6. Enhances Social Competence

Enhances Social Competence
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Dad’s playing style helps kids regulate their emotions when engaging in physical play. It also helps enhance confidence, social competence, self-esteem, and life skills.

7. Helps Regulate Emotions

Helps Regulate Emotions
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Dad’s playing style also involves setting goals that might be beyond their reach and pushing kids to their limits, which is known to lead to better emotional regulation.

Things Dads Need to Keep In Mind While Playing

Things Dads Need to Keep In Mind While Playing
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As we can see, kids really can benefit from the playtimes with their dads. However, the rough and tough type of play at times can end up being a little too rough, and thus, to make the playtimes fun yet safe, here are a few rules that dads need to keep in mind

1. Safety First

Safety First
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All dads should know the difference between being rough and too rough. How rough you can go depends on your child’s physical build, age, and temperament. As a golden rule, children below the age of one year should never be shaken. Their brains are still in the developing phase, and their necks are delicate. Sudden jerks can damage the brain tissue and lead to neck injuries. Also, precautions must be taken while swinging them around by their arms or legs as when done roughly, it might lead to injuries.

2. Don’t Overdo Things

Dont Overdo Things
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Every kid is different, be it a girl or a boy. While your elder kid might have loved the rough play, the younger one might perceive rough play as aggressive. You need to be patient, gentle, and know your limits in such cases. Do not keep pushing a child to cross his boundary of comfort as it might lead to them feeling scared and even start being defensive. As a dad, it becomes crucial to judge your kid, their limits, and boundaries when it comes to physical play and then plan playtimes accordingly.

Thus, as we can see from above, playtime with dads has many benefits for the kids. However, organizing playtimes while keeping in mind the child’s physical and mental capabilities and limitations is key. If you found this article helpful or want to add suggestions regarding dad’s playtime, do let us know in the comment section below.

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