Maybe Pink Floyd was right after all. In a recent Boston Globe article, anthropologist David Yancy points out that the American style of parenting, which includes a great deal of parent/child interactive play, is a distinct feature only found in wealthy developing countries, and that it is, "...a recent byproduct of the pressure to get kids ready for the information-age economy."
The problem, as Yancy sees it, is that hyper-engaged play is often touted as the best example of excellent parenting, and a lot of money is being spent to force this style of parenting onto other socio-economic classes, effectively negating other parenting styles.
I suspect you'll find the more "Hyper-involved" the adult is in the play, the fewer hours he/she is able to spend each week with their child. There is definitely a role for that kind of play and all children need *some* ... but as a parent, I think you get to know your child best through close observation of child-initiated play...
view MamaChilanga's profile
I believe in a mix of involved play and a dose of "benign neglect"....Often I find if I start an activity, such as block building, game playing or artmaking, the kids get going and then I can step out of the game and they'll keep at it for a long time. I definitely think that kids need to figure it out themselves sometimes and that we do a disservice by hovering too much or making the world too easy for them.
view polkadot's profile
i agree with mamchilanga that extremely involved play often signals little time spent together. The thing about bengn neglect is it work's best when the parent is nearby to avert disaster or just to check every now and again...
view Sofia's profile