Following Kids’ Interests

How we do it:

As adults we can get wrapped up in goals and fears for our kids. Are they meeting expectations? Are they going to be ok? These thoughts are normal, but by flipping our focus from worry to curiosity, we can transform our relationships with our children.  

• Consider the topics that interest your child. Maybe they are easy to spot—like Pokemon characters or Oz lore. Maybe they are less obvious—lining up objects, moving fast, feeling different textures. Observe your kid and notice what they get wrapped up in.

• Spend some time engaging in their favorite topics/activities with them. This could take the form of conversations (asking them questions about it), or it could be play (jumping together, building a structure, exploring a maze). Maybe they are more interested in sensory activities (collecting lots of soft things, popping bubble wrap, brushing hair). Whatever it is, try it with them!

• Explore “as if” you are your child. Try to discover what is enjoyable about the activity. What do they love about it?

• Apply what you observe from their experience to your own. Can you find any overlap in the venn diagram of interests between the two of you? Can you deepen the ways you relate to them from here?

Playgroup Summer Intensives are a go!

Let us know any questions you might have about joining PlayGroup this summer.  In addition to our summer intensives, we will also be holding our typical afternoon groups.