Course Content
From Screen Time to Play Time: Part 2
PlayLab only opens to new members twice a year! Doors open on Monday 10th May and close on Friday 14th May. Don't miss out!
Introduction to Part 2!
I am so happy that you are here for session 2 and ready to discover more simple steps to play and creativity in your home! Did you manage to call a family meeting about screen time and agree on some simple rules? Or did you start a visual timetable for littler ones?
I would love to hear from you if you’ve started and have seen some results already! In this second session we are going to uncover a major hindrance to play and some simple steps to change that.
Top Tips from Part 2
- Be a play detective to discover your child’s unique interests and play style
- For younger children, take my quiz to discover their unique play schema (linked below)
- Make a note of all toys that do not seem to catch your child’s interest any more
- Be aware of unrealistic representations of play as these are a huge hindrance for us
- Social media tends to portray “flat-lays” instead of real play
- Authentic play can be messy, might seem bizarre, very physical or quiet and contained
- Tuning into your child is the key to unlock what I call my Secret Formula for Child-led Play!
Here is your link to discover your child's play schema:
Please leave comments below, and let me know how you get on! If you have questions, pop them down as well and I'll try to respond to as many as possible!
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22 comments
this is great!
Thanks Jessie! Glad it’s helped!
Hey Anna, mum of 3 here. It's so true that Instagram makes everything look perfect, and I just don't have time to compete with that. This afternoon I've already removed half of the toys they don't play with, and I can see the positive effect already - isn't that so crazy?! Thank you!!!
Yay that’s awesome to hear Katie! Great steps already x
Hi Anna! I called a family meeting to start setting rules for screen time, and we worked together to make a nice visual schedule that everyone agreed on, which was a relief because I was worried about that task! It’s worked well so far, I think it’s going to go a long way especially during family meal times!
I do wonder about the flat lays in social media, they look so pretty but are never actually that inviting for children. Do you have tips for setting up play areas to encourage shy children to play more boisterously? Thank you for all your advice!
Perfect! I am impressed you have managed that already and have already seen some wins. Awesome news!
I would very much say to follow her lead and her play style. There is no particular need for her to change that at this stage. And it is in doing this that you will find the play style she most enjoys. She may feel more comfortable in physical, active play as part of hiding and chasing games or during family rough and tumble. Part 3 will help too! x
This is sooo helpful, I’m really excited to get started on the schedule!
Fantastic! So glad to hear it has been helpful x
Hi everyone - so one of my sons is definitely the ‘run around jumping, kicking balls’ type and the other one seems more into doing things with his hands - painting, play dough (we use your magic recipe!). But my challenge is how to get them to transition from the dreaded Paw Patrol, back to these kinds of play activities that I know they enjoy!
You will definitely enjoy part 3 Rachel! That's where we share that Secret Formula for Child Led Play. I'll be interested to hear if it has helped! x
Thank you for calling out unrealistic expectations. Honestly that’s part of what’s been holding me back, which I know is crazy, but still the pressure to create those amazing set ups you see on Instagram, I just don’t have the time for that with 3 kids 😩.
this has been so helpful thank you Ana
Absolutely! They are a real issue and it's no wonder that people get frustrated when their kids won't play with it or, worse still. "mess it up" and don't play with it as they expected!
These first two parts have been soooo helpful. I’m looking forward to the final part tomorrow! If I could get my kids to move from 1 hour a day of screen time to 30 mins - I’d be so happy
How can I join your play lab membership? Is it open to new members ?
Yay! I am so pleased to hear that it's been so helpful so far. Yes absolutely, I am opening the doors next week so hang tight! I LOVE welcoming in a new cohort of awesome parents 🥰
Hello Anna!
My daughter is a really hyperactive 6 year old and sometimes I would love for her playtime to be a little more quiet. How can I suggest this and support that without discouraging her self confidence?
I would lean in to her play style and embrace it! Lots of physical or large scale play will suit her interests and also her clearly high-energy needs too! Or buy yourself some headphones 😂 You'll like Part 3 I think, so wait for that final part! x
Yes yes yes. I’m a play detective now 😂 🕵🏽♀️
thank you! I can’t wait to try this out tomorrow xx
haha enjoy being a detective! It might reveal some surprises!
Hi Anna,
Well this has been a revelation! I took the schema quiz and my 6 year old daughter is a connector! It's so obvious now.. Taping moving toys together, string everywhere, lego structures everywhere! Thank God I can now embrace these activities as good. My question is as I Google activities for her I only see toddler type ideas and wonder if you have any 6 year old connecting ideas? Thankyou so much!
Hi Andriina
It's makes so much sense doesn't it! I love that 'Ah Ha' moment when the penny drops. Anna has lots of ideas for each of the schemas in PlayLab . Sounds like you have lots of the right things available already. Lego, string, tape, magnatiles are all great fun for connectors.
Claire x
Hi - the videos are great! Thank you! My daughter is nearly 8 and is an only child. Her favourite type of play is role play which usually means we need to play too. I’d like to find ways of helping her to play on her own, she will do that for very short periods but then wants to revert to screen time!
I concur, we have a similar problem. My 8yo only child loves role play battle games, which always requires an enemy (us) to battle with. Whether that's small world soldiers/dinos or nerf gun fights around the house. So of course he gets all that in spades with video games, this is the kind of screen time he loves, not passive TV so much. I would love to figure out the magic that will enable him to play alone and independently, using his hands and whole body for more than 10 mins. I am not adverse to playing with him as he craves being with us, but the kind of play as an adult I like is crafting, making things, sensory play, constructing things....I Looove Lego. But that maybe draws him in for a small chunk of time before he begs for video games. I am going to be more detective to find out what else he loves and also work with him on a screentime schedule. However right now, like you his play involves pretend play, which very much involves other people.
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