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Sapling MINDS

Unlocking Potential

The Transformative Power of Play in Parenting



Play provides a rich and dynamic context for fostering the skills, attitudes, and behaviours that are essential for development. There are three fundamental pillars that we need to bring back to parenting approaches to significantly improve a child’s life. The three pillars are resilience, authenticity, and entrepreneurial spirit (a child’s innate creativity, self-motivation, drive to chase their dreams, willingness to take risks, and resilience in the face of failure).

 

Unfortunately, our system is not set up to give your child these gifts. Instead, our system is set up to do the opposite. We are starting to see the product of this through the increased rates of anxiety, depression, and developmental challenges in children.

 

As parents, you want something different and better for your child. The good news is that the actions you take now will help to support transforming the landscape of your child’s lifestyle and wellbeing.

 

Play teaches your child coping skills, resilience, and emotional regulation, which are essential for managing mental health. Through play, your child will learn to identify and express their emotions, problem-solve, and adapt to changing circumstances, building the foundation for positive mental health and wellbeing throughout their life.

 

Through play, your child will encounter various challenges and setbacks in a safe environment. They learn to adapt, problem-solve, and bounce back from failures. Each experience builds resilience by teaching your child that setbacks are a natural part of life and that they have the capability to overcome them.

 

Play encourages your child to express themselves freely and explore their interests without fear of judgment. In imaginary worlds and role-playing scenarios, your child can experiment with different roles and perspectives, allowing them to discover and develop their authentic selves. As they engage in play that aligns with their true interests and passions, they become more confident in expressing who they are and what they believe in. Play supports your child to develop the ability to recognise, honour, and trust their feelings (both good and bad) and those of others, and then act in a way that is consistent with their values.

 

Your child will become increasingly independent over time while actively participating in interactive, cooperative play with their peers. Developing independence is supportive for fostering creativity, self-motivation, willingness to take risks, and innovative thinking by empowering your child to explore, experiment, and express themselves freely, both individually and collaboratively. Play develops your child’s entrepreneurial spirit as it often involves elements of creativity through cultivating their imagination, and innovation through fostering experimentation, which are essential skills for their future success.

 

Your child will look to you to learn how to approach new experiences and potential failure, how to regulate their own emotions, and how to tackle challenges in life. With your support and guidance, they will feel better equipped to navigate increasing societal expectations and their own internal beliefs and patterns whilst maintaining their authenticity.

 

Play provides your child with invaluable opportunities to develop resilience, authenticity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, setting them up for success in both their personal and professional lives.

 

By bringing back fundamental parenting approaches, and developing these essential pillars with your child early, you will significantly improve their self-efficacy, their ability to navigate challenges throughout life, and their deep knowing, love, and acceptance of who they are and how they can authentically show up in the world.

 

Encouraging creativity, experimentation, risk-taking, collaboration, and adaptability, play lays the foundation for a lifelong journey of discovery and innovation. You have the opportunity to provide the guidance and support your child needs to develop the skills and mindset they require to thrive in an ever-evolving world.



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