Several posts appear on various media platforms talking about the lost art of playfulness amongst adults.

Seemingly, we have forgotten how to be spontaneous and enjoy childhood pleasures in our strained and serious world.

As we grow up and have our own families, we are conditioned to take responsibilities more seriously and we neglect the joy of having fun. Experts encourage playing with your children and enjoying fun filled pastimes that produce endorphins that lead to a more positive outlook on life.

While researching and compiling material for my first children’s book, “The Enchanted Kingdom of Wa-Wa Land”, I realised that teaching children the value of a clean house and solid school routines, was more difficult to achieve when done in a boring manner.

Playful and fun filled tasks, accompanied by rewards (that don’t always have to be monetary in nature), produced far better results, and strengthened relationships between adults and their children. The element of reaching necessary daytime and evening goals by playful methods is a proven recipe.

Quality time that parents spent with their young children produced calmer and more focused children. The rewards for a completed job boosted egos, self-esteem and together, the families looked forward to more fun filled chores and responsibilities with certain calmness.

Even more so, very young children and children with special needs seem to benefit from dedicated time with their parents and siblings. My children’s story book and the Hopinol Skopinol™ ‘Star Chart Game of Chores’ promotes this deep bond in the home and subtly prepares your child to be independent, and to take responsibility and pride in their quality of work while having a good time with you.

Another rather interesting observation that emerged from my research was that each child responds differently to how they approach their chores and what rewards suit them best. This led me to further research, and I came across The 5 Love Languages for Children. Each child responds to requests and situations from an inner love gift that shapes their reactions and responses to situations where they find themselves.

Stay tuned for the next few blogs as we unpack each of the five love languages of children, based on the book by Dr. Gary D Chapman PhD and Ross Campbell MD.

Until next time,

Keep Sparkling!

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