Children require fun and stimulation in their early years. In fact, fun and playtime help children with their rapid brain development. They actually require a variety of experiences so that their neurons will keep developing and reinforcing their neural connections. 

Aside from cognitive development, having more fun with your child also results in the following: 

• Your child receives full attention from you 
• Your child feels their importance 
• You can better see and understand your child’s point of view 
• You learn more about your child’s likes and worries 
• You strengthen the bond with your child 
• Your child will feel safer (and feel that the world is still a stable and safe place despite the overwhelming new experiences) 

Ideas for having more fun time with your child 

To add more variety and enjoyment to the time and moments with your child, here are some practical ideas: 

• Eat meals together as a family (make it a fun and easy moment so your child can talk more) 
• Prepare a snack or meal together 
• Go to the grocery together and let your child help with your decisions on what to buy 
• Read stories to your child during bedtime 

Notice that these are ordinary everyday activities that you can do anytime. Thankfully, these ordinary activities can still feel special to your child because of the time and attention you dedicate. 

The key here is to let your child talk more and decide more. It’s a way to practice your child’s communication and decision-making skills. With this practice, your child’s brain will be continuously stimulated and exercised. This can help accelerate your child’s brain development which could be crucial for preparing for the big school and beyond. 

In summary, having more fun with your child can result in huge benefits, not just in having light and enjoyable experiences, but also in helping your child become more prepared for the future.