Playdates are popularly treated as special events where a child makes arrangements to play with another child through the parents’ help at one of their homes or an agreed venue. It’s an opportunity to get kids together so that they can have fun within a controlled environment. Playdates also offer an avenue for children to develop their social, interaction, imagination and creative skills. Here are some practical tips for preparing and hosting a playdate at your home:
1) If you are expecting a much younger child, ensure that the play area is child friendly and that there are no sharp or harmful objects lying around.
2) Clarify from the child’s parents if there are any allergies or special preferences you should be aware of when providing meals.
3) Let the kids take the lead on the activities they would like to be involved in. Only interfere to get them started, resolve squabbles or to cheer them on.
4) Playdates should be interactive. Minimise the amount of TV they watch.
5) Ensure that the kids clean up after themselves, otherwise they will pick up bad habits and leave all the dirty work for you.
6) If the child is sleeping over, you will need to clarify the details of how they should be taken care of.
What other tip do you think should be on this list?
Picture Attribution: “Playful Children” by imagerymajestic/Freedigitalphotos.net