Play time, parent style

When you have tasks to attend to, you can’t continue paying as much attention to your child as they want. Instead of asking them to wait, make room for play to turn your task into a fun activity.

Benefits of integrating play into daily tasks

Making your task an opportunity to have fun or play together will encourage your child to participate because they like having fun and being with you. By giving your toddler attention and spending time with them, you are reducing their stress and reinforcing your attachment bond.

In addition, when involving your child in your tasks by giving them suitable responsibilities, they feel useful and grownup. This is a good way to build their confidence. Involving your toddler in household tasks also reinforces their sense of belonging and collaboration.

More than anything, this strategy also allows you to make progress in your daily chores. However, allow for more time to complete your tasks when including your child. This is important to keep in mind to avoid experiencing frustration, since things will obviously not progress as quickly as usual.

Once you have finished the task, remember to kindly thank your toddler for their help. Showing appreciation for their effort and explaining how valuable it is helps them understand that their support is welcome. They will feel happy and proud, which gives them the motivation to do it again.

How can your child help you while having fun?

To take advantage of play, simply present one of your tasks as a game, a fun challenge to take on, or make it a role-playing game. Make sure there is a fun aspect to the game. The idea is to avoid making the task an educational activity, and to rather have a good time with your toddler. For example, put on music, sing, dance, and make jokes while completing your task.

Here are some ideas for turning tasks into fun activities.

• Invite your child to be your sous-chef when cooking. For example, ask them to give you the ingredients you need for the recipe. They can also mix the dry ingredients for a recipe, wash the vegetables with a small brush, and tear the leaves of lettuce. For more ideas, check out our fact sheet Including children in the kitchen (in French).
• Play restaurant and help set the table. Your toddler can start by setting the placemats and napkins. When you think your child is ready for more responsibilities, you can let them put out the plates and utensils, which is a big step up in trust for them. At the end of the meal, they can also help you collect and wash the dishes.

• Play clothes fishing when taking the laundry out of the dryer. Ask your child to go fishing for socks that are the same colour or towels that are the same size. Children can also group clothing that belongs to mom, dad, their brothers and sisters, or themselves. Ask them, “Are these little pyjamas dad’s?” “Is this big shirt his?” This activity then becomes an opportunity to have a big laugh together in addition to allowing your toddler to integrate the concept of ownership.
• Tell them to imagine being a gardener or a zoo worker. Under your supervision, your child can have fun watering houseplants, picking vegetables from the vegetable garden, and feeding the family pet.
• Turn grocery shopping into a treasure hunt. At each row, tell your toddler what you need and ask them to find a specific item. If your child is young and sits in the shopping trolley, tell them to point to the item as soon as they see it on the shelf.

How to involve your baby in tasks

If your toddler is too young to participate in household tasks, they can passively share the experience and be a spectator with a front seat. Have them close to you and give them attention while performing your tasks.

For example, stimulate their senses when cooking by talking about what you are doing and inviting them to look, touch, or feel. “Look at the potato; it’s brown. I’m going to peel it. Look, it’s white now and it’s wet. Touch it.” By talking to them like this, you are capturing their attention, promoting their understanding, and teaching them a few words.

You can also sing, put on music, or dance while you are cooking, washing the dishes, or folding clothes. Maintain contact with your baby by looking at them often, talking to them, and smiling to show them that you enjoy spending time with them.

Things to keep in mind

• Turning certain tasks into a game allows you to give your child the attention they need and have a good time with them.
• For your toddler to enjoy themselves, fun must be part of the game: Make the task fun with a role-playing game, challenge or race, making jokes, singing, or playing music.
• Even when your child is still a baby, you can maintain contact while doing your tasks by sitting them near you, making eye contact, and talking to them.

Scientific review: Suzanne Major, PhD early childhood education consultant, anthropologist, and author Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: February 2021

Photo: GettyImages/martin-dm