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 Lorena and her family.
Please tell us a bit about you and your family.
My name is Lole. I’m 39 years old and I’m co-owner on a little company of handmade decorative products for children called To The Wild. I live in a flat with 76 m2 with my husband Jano, our daughter Sira who just turned three years, and our cat Keko. We live in Gijon, a small coastal city on northern Spain near the sea and the mountains.
Best playground.
For me, nature is the best playground. I grew up in a small cottage, and my best memory is to have the freedom for play that gives direct contact with nature.
In a free day what is your family favorite activity?
We like to do a little outing and roam the countryside on fine weather, but also enjoy our time together at home (cooking something together, watching movies…). Now that Sira is a little bit bigger, we like to carry her to storytelling, theater shows for children, and music acts because she loves music and she enjoy it a lot.
How do you play with your daughter? With what kind of toys?
When we are outside we play ball games. At home, we usually play together with puzzles, animal domino, building toys like blocks or cubes; anything with she could build a high tower and then destroy it ;) We also love to dress up and dance silly dances.
What is your favorite toy? And from your kid?
I have so much fun with my coloring books and a handful of colored pencils, this can be consider as my favorite toy as an adult. My favorite toy from Sira is without doubts her teepee. I love see her inside of it playing with her dolls, watching books, or “playing” guitar.
When you were a child what did you play and with what toys? What was your favorite one?
When I was a child I loved to paint coloring books and make puzzles; I could spend hours putting pieces. But definitely my favorite toy was my beautiful red bicycle.
What kind of crafts/DIY projects do you like to do with your daughter?
By the moment we haven’t had the opportunity to perform many DIY projects because our daughter is still very small, but I have many plans in this regard in the near future because I love them!
Your child prefer playing or watching tv? What she see in television influences how she play?
Both of them. She especially enjoy a lot playing in the park and outdoor, but also loves to see Peppa Pig on TV; this little piggy has stolen her heart. In that sense, some of the things she see in some chapters of Peppa Pig or Caillou (another favorite) help us when we need exemplify day by day behaviors as a family.
What is your daughter’s favorite book? And yours (from her collection)?
Sira absolutely adore a book called “Buscar” (“Searching”) de Olga de Dios a very talented spanish illustrator. But also one called “Monstruo de Colores” (“The color monster”) with which we are currently working on the issue of emotions. My favorite book because the meaning it had for me, is “Where the Wild Things Are” from Maurice Sendak. It is clear that in this house we really love monsters, isn’t it? Hahaha
Please ask your daughter “If you could choose to be a storybook character what would you be? Why?”
Since we read to her the book “Where the Wild Things Are” and watch together the film directed by Spike Jonze, she fell in love with Max. She thinks to be the monster’s king/queen is super cool, and this makes me happy because I really love that history. I even made for her a Max costume which she is really cute.
Do you know how does your kid play at school?
At class they have all kinds of role playing toys (kitchenettes, doctor’s bag, tools…) also blocks and construction sets, puzzles, material for paint and modeling, costumes,… and also has a large grassy yard with a small playground where they can play outdoors.
Your daughter prefer playing indoors or outdoors?
My girl always prefer playing outdoors. She is very good physically and love run and climb at the park, playing football and ride her skate.
Does your kid like to create his own activities / games / characters?
I think she is quite small yet, and until recently she always look to play at our side, but last weeks we noticed that she start to figure up stories with their dolls, or how to become us into frogs, butterflies and even cows with her magic wand. So she are starting to leverage of her imagination.
Sounds and music are important in your child playing?
Very important! At home we constantly listen to music and it seems to have a positive influence in our daughter taste, because she adore the music. She had some musical instruments (real and toys) and enjoy a lot in their extracurricular classes “music and movement”, not to mention that at home we love to dance.
Another sweet family that I had the pleasure to share about here – many thank’s Lole!
Lole is co-owner of a beautiful children’s brand called To The Wild.
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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.