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 Shelley and her family.
Please tell us a bit about you and your family.
My name is Shelley and I live in a seaside city called Brighton in the UK, with my husband Rob and 4 year old twins Summer and Ronnie. We are a very active family who love the beach, the woods and having fun together as a family.
Best playground.
Hove Lagoon is one of our best playgrounds, its right on Hove seafront close to our house. It has a playground, trampolines, skate park, watersports lagoon, mini golf, boating, a paddling pool, a cafe and of course the sea!
In a free day what is your family favorite activity?
We love going to the farm to see the animals and on the outdoor play equipment or or to the woods on an adventure! We love building dens, collecting sticks and climbing trees!
How do you play with your kids? With what kind of toys?
I do lots of imaginary play with them. For example I might pretend to be a customer at their shop or be a patient in their doctors surgery! We also do lots of singing, dancing and craft activities.
What is your favorite toy? And from your kids?
I love their wooden shop because it can also be made into a puppet theatre, a school, doctors/vets, cafe or anything they want it to be! It also looks great and I love all the cute wooden play food and cash register.
My little boy loves his wooden farm and animals and my little girl loves all kinds of imaginary play whether its with her wooden shop, dolls house or doctors set.
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 playing with my dolls and Sylvanian Families. I also remember doing lots of imaginary play.
What kind of crafts/DIY projects do you like to do with your children?
Lots of colouring, cutting and sticking!
Your kids prefer playing or watching tv? What they see in television influences how they play?
The twins prefer playing for sure, although at the end of each day, after their tea, they are allowed to watch some TV and they enjoy deciding what to watch. Yes I do think TV can influence how they play because they will copy. For example if you tell them to not jump in muddles puddles they would probably just say ”well Peppa Pig does”!
What are your kids favorite books? And yours (from their collection)?
Summers favorite book is: The Singing Mermaid by Julia Donaldson, Lydia Monks
Ronnies favorite book is: What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson, Lydia Monks
I love: The Jolly Postman and other peoples letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
Please ask your children “If you could choose to be a storybook character what would you be? Why?”
Summer would be a fairy from one of her books because she loves dressing up and thinks fairies are magical
Ronnie would be a superhero!
Do you know how does your kids play at school?
Yes. Summer spends lots of time dressing up and doing imaginary play and Ronnie will be over at the craft and construction toys table and running around outside climbing or with the football.
Your kids prefer playing indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors.
Does your kids like to create their own activities / games / characters?
Yes all the time. Thats the lovely thing about twins is they always have a playmate and they make up the most amazing games together. They often play mummys and daddys, teachers and pupil, doctors and patients, etc.
Sounds and music are important in your children playing?
Yes, we always have music on and the children are constantly singing, dancing and dressing up!
Another sweet family that I had the pleasure to share here – thank’s so much Shelley!
Shelley runs an online shop that showcases beautiful and original kids brands from around the world – The Dandelion Den
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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.