Stuck Inside on a Snow Day! A Great Time to Play With Your Child or Teen!
What better thing than to pull out board games or puzzles on a snowy eve!
Some of my best memories with my family as a kid were playing Mouse Trap, Yahtzee, and Monopoly around the kitchen table. As a young adult one of my favorite memories were Sunday night dinners at my “adoptive” family’s house playing Rummy.
Playing games brings families together. It creates a space for laughter, friendly competition, and problem-solving skills that strengthen family connections and relationships. Playing in the physical realm with family can help improve fine motor skill development, social skills, cognitive development, and emotional regulation. This wonderful time of engagement is very beneficial to children and teens who are struggling with trauma or mental health issues.
The importance of engaging in play with your child and teen in Harrisonburg, VA
Melissa at Spiral Roots LLC encourages caregivers to play with their children and teens.
Play matters because it helps us show we care. It helps us see each other and let each other know that they matter. Play let’s us relax and “just be together” with no expectations. When this happens connections strengthen, communication can actually happen, and new things can be discovered. Check out this ted talk on play by Jill Vialet.
The Power of Play
Release your inner child when playing with children and teens in Harrisonburg, VA.
Jill Vialet challenges us to release our inner child and remember that play matters. We are never too old to play. I believe that play can be the great equalizer in families. It brings us together and allows “magic” to happen in relationships.
To learn more about the specific impacts of play check out this article by Dr. Bruce Perry.
The Importance of Pleasure in Play
https://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/pleasure.htm
Benefits of real-time, in person, and off line play in families with children and teens in Harrisonburg, VA
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC provides bilingual therapy for children and teens in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Today it is normal for adults and kids to play online games in various formats. In moderation there is nothing wrong with this. However, during the developmental years, it is important that kids engage in activities that allow them to have a felt sense of connection to people around them.
It is important to engage in mind- body play that promotes healthy development of exteroception (external awareness), interoception (internal sensations and feelings), proprioception (body awareness in time and space), and vestibular awareness (balance).
Engaging in activities that allow for these experiences in real time help children and teens experience being grounded, being connected, feeling seen by others, and regulated by laughter, curiosity, and discovery.
Interacting with the screens off is good for children and teens, especially if they have trauma or mental health issues.
Play helps regulate the nervous system and promotes self-regulation. The development of the above senses are necessary especially in an anxious generation where trauma and loss are prevalent. Constant screen time can impede the development of important senses and skills in children and teens. Among the many benefits of offline play, interacting with others and playing in the physical world helps reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive development, strengthen fine motor skills, encourage social connections, and improve sleep.
5 Categories of Ideas for play for children, teens, and families to engage in when it is snowing.
Puzzles help children and teens with trauma regulate through their rhythmic, repetitive movements and focus.
Card Games
Basic Card decks, UNO, Go Fish, Memory, WHAT DO YOU MEME? Family Edition, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Board Games
Candy Land, Trouble, Connect Four, Monopoly, Life, Scrabble, Settlers of Catan,
Conversation Games
Appels to Apples, Do You Really Know Your Family?
Active games
Win, Lose or Draw, Mouse Trap, Watch Ya' Mouth Family Edition, Legos, Twister
“Create your own” Games
Scavenger hunt, Charades (This game can be bought or you can make up your own cards as a family and mix them together), Word games, I spy, Hide and Seek, Fourt building
DIY Games for Kids
https://youtu.be/IJwdC7OnC5I?si=K8XuRex89LMacN11
Fun Games To Play At Home From Simple Things || Must-Try Party Games
https://youtu.be/UPF-y5BZxnk?si=3tcbgTO7kn5teQAY
Work, play, dance, laugh, and create, together to build those lasting relationships within the family. Use this “Snow Day” to make lasting memories for both you and your family. Engage in play with your children and teens today. You never know, it might be so much fun that game night becomes a regular weekly or monthly family date night! Remember it’s the time spent, not the task that counts. Happy Snow Day from Melissa Deaton Cook LPC and Spiral Roots LLC.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC child and teen therapist in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC, NCC, ACS
Melissa helps kids feel safe, supported, & empowered to be their best unique selves! Struggling children and teens know that they are seen, they are heard, and that they matter when they work with Melissa. Melissa Deaton Cook LPC uses trauma informed expressive art, sand tray, play therapy, nature based, and cognitive therapy to facilitate change. “Melissa is like a child and teen first responder” Jennie -First Responder. Melissa helps dysregulated children and teens struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, mental health issues, behavior issues, family separations and more to regulate and learn to function in their community. All are welcome! Melissa’s focus is to help kids learn to regulate, communicate, and strengthen their relationships in the home and community so they can develop the capacity to grow and become their best selves. Melissa may be contracted for dynamic trauma trainings, expressive arts workshops, and team building events. Learn More
Other Blogs In This Series:
Happy Snow Day: “Help My Kids Are Home!" - A Caregivers Guide to “Snow Day” Prep https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/happy-snow-day-help-my-kids-are-home-a-caregivers-guide-to-snow-day-prep
Step Out Into Nature: Mental & Physical Health Benefits of Playing Outside on a “Snow Day” & 11 Snow Based Play Ideas for Children, Teens, & Families. https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/step-out-into-nature-mental-amp-physical-health-benefits-of-playing-outside-on-a-snow-day-amp-11-snow-based-play-ideas-for-children-teens-amp-familie
Stuck Inside on a Snow Day! A Great Time for Arts & Crafts & Creativity!
https://www.spiralroots.org/blog/stuck-inside-on-a-snow-day-a-great-time-for-arts-amp-crafts-amp-creativity