How much do you control your child(ren)'s playtime?

[heart of peace]

Interesting Article <--Hyperlink

Study: Verbal Aggression May Affect Children's Behavior

ScienceDaily (Aug. 5, 2008) — The methods mothers use to control their children during playtime and other daily activities could have a negative impact on their child's self-esteem and behavior, according to a new Purdue University study.


So, do you find that you tend to get a bit more directive than average in your child's play?

 

[jgonz]

I don't direct their play at all (although I may suggest certain things to play with). Except if they're getting wild, then I intervene and tell them to cool it.

 

[Neenie1]

I don't think I do much of what was written in that article.

When it comes to free play I just let my dd "play" and enjoy herself. I sometimes suggest some toys she might play with, and let her go for it. As long as she doesn't hurt herself or anyone else, or role play things that I think are innapropriate then I let her play.

 

[moonkitty]

I don't step into thier play time unless they start fighting over toys or what not.

 

[Leanna]

Maybe the trouble is that they chose to have the parents play with the children instead of having the children and parents interact during their everyday activities.

 

[marezee]

I don't direct their play either. When we play a game together, we follow the rules of the game, but i don't think that is being verbally agressive or anything like that.
I've never seen a parent being verbally agressive with their child's "play time." has anyone else? it just seems to be one of those idiotic theories someone made up to get published. Who makes up these theories anyway? perhaps doctorate students make them up for their thesis. who knows?!!

 

[Birbitt]

When it's play time it's their time, I don't get involved beyond keeping it at a reasonable level. Also when I'm playing with them I tend to take my direction from them, like if we are playing with the legos they build a castle and ask me to build a dragon...which I do. Now if we are using play things as part of school that's different and I do tend to direct that a bit more..for example if we are studying dinosaurs and I give them clay to use I expect that they will make a dinosaur. I do not however tell them what that dinosaur has to look like.

 

[marezee]

When it's play time it's their time, I don't get involved beyond keeping it at a reasonable level. Also when I'm playing with them I tend to take my direction from them, like if we are playing with the legos they build a castle and ask me to build a dragon...which I do. Now if we are using play things as part of school that's different and I do tend to direct that a bit more..for example if we are studying dinosaurs and I give them clay to use I expect that they will make a dinosaur. I do not however tell them what that dinosaur has to look like.

i still don't think you are being "verbally agressive." perhaps i am reading more into this? what you are doing is more like "teaching."

 

[Surrender2Win]

I don't believe I direct the kids playtime. Though like others, when the boys start to get a little bit rowdy, I'll ask them to tone it down some.

If I wanted the "control" the boys playtime, then I would have to suggest to them the opposite of what I actually wanted them to do, and usually I forget...so it doesn't work out anyway.

Now if we are using play things as part of school that's different and I do tend to direct that a bit more..for example if we are studying dinosaurs and I give them clay to use I expect that they will make a dinosaur. I do not however tell them what that dinosaur has to look like.

What she said....

 

[ChristianMama84]

I don't direct Remy's playtime unless he's playing with something he shouldn't, but that's not aggressive, it's being a good mom.

 

[Linnis]

I don't tell him how to play. I will check on him often if he's being too quiet or help give him ideas but he's 22 months old.