{ All About Playing } interview with Romina Astolfi

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Definition of play: engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose; engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment; amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence;

Since I make toys – and I’m a mother of a little one – I begin to grow more and more curious about playing. How children these days play, how parents interact and play with them, how can we play in a fun way with them, how playing can help children’s development…

For this interview I have the pleasure to introduce you to Romina and her family.

Please tell us a bit about you and your family.
My husband and I have two little boys who are four and two years old. I work as personal assistant for a writer. But even before I became a mother, I have always been interested in home decoration, toys and sweet products for children. So, a few months ago, I decided to create a webshop to propose all kind of stuff that we don’t easily find here in Switzerland. I do it for fun, for interest and because I believe that products made with love and passion are great gifts to offer or to receive.
What I love the most is that I can work and stay with my two little cow-boys during the day. That’s a great gift.

Best playground.
My sons love every playground they find!!!

In a free day what is your family favorite activity?
Everytime we have some free time, we go to visit our friends and family. We love doing little walks and spending time together. My husband plays basketball so everytime he can go with the boys, he enjoys those moments!

How do you play with your kids? With what kind of toys?
As I stay with them all day long (I work from home), I do a lot of small activities with them. We particularly love playing with dolls, figurines and lego. And we love reading books together.

What is your favorite toy? And from your children’s?
My favorite toys are figurines. We bought the figurines from Frozen and my two boys play all day long with them. Just watching them playing is my favorite game J

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When you were a child what did you play and with what toys? What was your favorite one?
I used to play with dolls and Lego. But my favorite toys were the Barbies I had. I loved inventing stories with them.

What kind of crafts/DIY projects do you like to do with your kids?
I am really really not gifted at doing DIY projects… Fortunately, my sons go to the kindergarten and they do a lot of DIY projects. But I like drawing.

Your children prefer playing or watching tv? What they see in television influences how they play?
They prefer playing! And fortunately!!! They are not allowed to watch TV all day long. But they watch cartoons every midday and evening while I am cooking. When they watch a cartoon, they always want to be the caracters they see. They enjoy watching superheroes :)

What is your children’s favorite book? And yours (from their collection)?
We read a lot of books. It’s quite difficult to choose one particular. But if I ask my sons, they show me “Monsters Academy” from Disney… That’s the book of the month! Mine is definetely “Franklin plays the theater”.

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Please ask your kids “If you could choose to be a storybook character what would you be”? Why?
My oldest son would be Elsa in Frozen! He received the doll from his godfather and he LOVES her! He even sleeps with her. My youngest son would probably Woody the cowboy… as he doesn’t speak, it’s difficult to ask him but I guess…

Do you know how does your children play at school?
They go to the kindergarten twice mornings a week. My oldest son plays with dolls and Barbies! My youngest son loves playing with cars. As it’s not school but a kindergarten, they do a lot of activities all together like singing, dancing, DIY.

Your kids prefer playing indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors!!! Definetely. Even in Winter…

Does your kids like to create their own activities / games / characters?
As they only have nineteen months différence, my boys always play together. They invent stories with pirates, dinosaurs and they love telling stories to each other. They love dancing and reading books.

Sounds and music are important in your child playing?
Absolutely! I always listen to music, radio. And so do my boys! They don’t have the choice ?. We love dancing, singing and music is all around us, all the time.

 

What a wonderful family – thank’s so much Romina for sharing with us all this little things about your sweet kids! 
Romina is opening a shop with unique products for children – My Lovely Monsters.

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I would really like to know how your kids play? What’s their favorite toy, the one they cuddle at night? 
Please leave a comment below.