Who is in the driver's seat? - Let the child be in charge of THEIR play

If we say that PLAY is the vehicle for our young children to learn about the world and make sense of it, it really helps if we know who has what role in the ‘car’. Because the driver’s seat - that isn’t ours to sit in. That absolutely belongs to the child.

If we drive the car and take the child along for the ride, we are hijacking the decision of what is played with, how and when, and we may bypass important sideroads the child was hungry to explore, or miss the u-turn back to play that still held joy, possibility and wonder for the child.

The child’s inner GPS (genius play source) knows where the child needs to go. The navigation needs to be (literally) in their hands, as they climb full body and soul into that driver’s seat and decide the speed, direction, path, and who (if anyone) jumps in the car for different parts of the journey. 

When the ‘map’ comes from within, it’s really from the child’s biologically encoded play urges. They will steer their play to the ‘right’ experience for them, over and over…if we allow them to. If we don’t ‘close the road’ because we feel they need to move on, or detour them to something that feels more ‘measureable’ or ‘ready for school’-like. 

Does this mean then, that we just wave the car off as our children head off on their play route each day? No. We can still be extremely interested in the road they take, watching, seeing what it is they want to shine their headlights on, or pull up to. And, we can see something really important we do - preparing their environment for play - as a form of ‘passengering’ their play. Not overstepping, or doing the driving for them, but being a part of the journey, and making sure the ‘road’ holds what it is they are setting out to find: the fuel for their play, if you will. 

And, then there’s the other kind of ‘fuel’ our play-full young children need - the kind that tops up their emotional fuel tank. That is absolutely our role. We act like a ‘petrol pump’ when our children can play, pop by for a top up of connection through a ritual, care moment, or conversation, and then get back on their way with their play again. If we are available, and welcoming of this pit stop approach, then the play in our children’s day will be deep, joy-full, unhurried, and truly child-driven. 

Our upcoming webinar Play Urges Tips & Tools will be about play and who is in the 'driver's seat'. Our 'Tips and Tools' webinars are a treasure trove full of ideas and tips to create a magical space for our children. Hands-on practical ideas. More info -> Play Urges Tips & Tools <-