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Saying ‘no’ to kids won’t work. This will.

By on March 4, 2020

We have what my husband fondly calls a 2-year-old wannabe engineer at home. He loves to play with pretty much anything he could get his hands on ranging from door chain lock and TV remote control to power strips and house phone.

I believe in free-range parenting which isn’t necessarily about saying ‘yes’ to anything. When we tell him not to touch things in the house he isn’t allowed to, he protests by crying. I feel guilty for having to say ‘no’ all the time. I’m sure many parents can relate to this.

So to preserve the bond between him and me, I think it’s important that he looks to his ‘mom’ as ‘fun’, someone who gives him the freedom to play and learn the natural results of his actions without my input.

I finally figured out that the best way to accomplish this without stressing myself is to give him something he is allowed to play with.

And so I came up with the idea of making him an activity board. It didn’t take long to rummage through our dusty boxes to create one with items all to himself which he can play with, touch and explore.

He loves it so much, it keeps him engaged. He is curious as to what each item is and does as he touches it and learns in the process.

So why are activity boards essential to children’s development?

It’s educational. It boosts a wide range of skills from the ability to recognize the alphabets, numbers, to performing a skill through hand to eye coordination.

It’s sensorial. As a result of repetitive practice or experience, he learns for example, that a door stopper made of steel is long and hard, and a toilet paper roll is soft. Early Childhood Educators call it the ‘Associative phase’ of motor learning.

It’s fun. Now my child is able to sort the alphabet magnets according to color and can tell an “A” from a “B” and “C” while doing so. He now knows that by pushing a number on the telephone, he can talk to his dada (daddy). This imaginary play is fun to watch as he tries to talk and make himself understood.

He now understands that by putting his hand on the small rolling wheel, he can make it stop. Being able to predict what happens boosts his confidence and self esteem through achievement.

More than anything, the house is now peaceful. Thanks to the activity board that keeps him busy. I can now cook dinner in peace without interruption. It’s a win-win!

 

About Tammy Lee