Take a Look at the World With Fresh Eyes

One of the coolest things about hanging out with kids is how they see the world. It’s fresh. Unique. Now give those kids a pair of binoculars? Wow.

Suddenly the world opens up. They can see across the strait–there are building over there. They can see that bird close up. And they can really see Mom up close and personal! (Yeah, what can I say, I like to make faces at them as soon as they focus on me.)

Take your kid outdoors. Hand them a pair of binoculars and see what they discover.

Add to the Discovery

Ask your kids some questions about what they see with the binoculars:

What did you see?

What surprised you?

Is it different if you hold the binoculars upside down?

What happens if you move the dial (focusing)?

How do clouds look?

How about trees?

Can you spot any animals?

What does the ground look like?

What if you look through the other end?

If you have ’em… move on to a microscope or magnifying glass for a different kind of focus.

Do your kids like looking through binoculars? What do they like to look at?

That is one fab hairdo you are sporting. Who does your hair? Is it your kids?

Let’s Play Hairdresser!

Kids love to play hairdresser (um, don’t give them the scissors though, okay?) whether it is on themselves (dear lord, please no scissors), on their friends (um, sorry about the scissors), or on us (I hear scissors back there!).

Playing hairdresser is not only a fun thing to do–did your parents ever let you do their hair?–it makes kids feel like they are a little more grown up, a little more creative, and a little more important. As well, playing hairdresser teaches kids a bit about empathy (sometimes it really is hard to get the tangles out without hurting!), as well as gives them a chance for some physical contact and bonding.

While it is usually girls wanting to play hairdresser, why not include the boys in your life next time? They’ll enjoy getting to brush your hair and try those crazy hair accessories as well. As well, coloured gel and other fun stuff makes hairdressing a little more ooey gooey and a little more fun for the guys. And if you are thinking boys really don’t need to be playing with hair, here are a few reasons…

Why Boys Should Play Hairdresser

• Boys need physical contact as much as girls do; they just need it in different ways. Hairdressing is a gentle way for them to get that contact and to get that contact in a different way. (My son doesn’t like to cuddle, but he’ll brush people’s hair and rub his hands through their hair and let us do the same to him.)

• Boys tend to get less physical contact and physical reassurance than girls do, but they need it every bit as much.

• It creates empathy (as mentioned above).

• It allows for self-expression in a new form.

• It’s tactile which will appeal to boys.

• It feels good.

• It is hands on and is a bit of that whole ‘build it, take it apart’ thing that appeals to boys.

• It can teach them a bit about hygiene. (We hope.)

• It allows them to try things that are considered ‘girly’ in a safe environment allowing them to explore and experience the world in a new way–important for healthy development especially when it comes to understanding others and creating acceptance.

• It expands their world view. In other words, they just might get why it takes women so long to get ready in the morning.

• And finally, when they are all grown up and have daughters of their own they are going to be the best darn daddy out there if they aren’t afraid to work a barrette and play with hair.

How about you? Have you and your kids played hairdresser recently? Let your kids get creative. You may end up accepting UPS packages with doilies in your hair, but it will be well worth watching the poor man do a double-take.

Enjoy!

Over 10 reasons why BOYS should play hairdresser. Will the reasons surprise you? http://t.co/DsanSple

— Jean Oram (@KidsPlay) August 27, 2012

It’s the kind of play that rolls with the punches, is fun for two kids with a seven year age gap, and builds creativity as well as a relationship that is built on their terms–and therefore, much more likely to last.

(Free play is defined as play that is unstructured, unscheduled, and unscripted. It is that ‘raw’ play that occurs naturally when you get children together (although kids can engage in free play on their own as well) and evolves and morphs quickly and often without even a murmur from anyone.)

When kids create their own rules they learn an amazing amount of things such as compromise, empathy, communication skills, social skills, how to adapt play part way through a ‘game,’ and much more. These skills help develop their brain in ways that will serve them well later in life such as when it comes to problem solving, conflict resolution, working with others, and creativity. For example, did you know that farm kids generally make better engineers? Know why? Because they are used to having to find unorthodox (‘outside of the box’) solutions to the problems they encounter on the farm. Over time, they have developed a patient and creative approach that serves them well in the field of engineering. And it all starts with free play.

Are you giving your kids the opportunity and time they need to engage in free play? What can you do to encourage more free play?

I’m right there with you,

Jean