My New Life

Play has so much to teach us, children and parents alike. Sometimes parents can get a little too involved in their child’s play, particularly with the extra cool toys. When does our guidance become interference? And what amount of direction is appropriate?   Dave Neale joins Jessica Rolph to help us strike the right balance. Dave is a researcher in the psychology of play at the Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development and Learning at the University of Cambridge.   Key Takeaways: [1:13] Dave explains the ‘sweet spot’ when a parent can provide support while not being too involved in the child’s play. [3:20] Playing and its link with structured learning. [5:30] How to find the balance between helping children achieve the goal of a game or letting them just explore the materials. [8:18] Play with your children, engagement and becoming an entertained play partner are the most important factors. [9:23] The effects of a parent who is not sufficiently involved. [12:23] What is Dave’s favorite activity to do with 0-12 months old babies?   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com Learn more about Dave Neale Centre for Research on Play in Education, Development & Learning (PEDAL)

Welcome to My New Life. I'm your host, Jessica Rolph. When we founded Lovevery, my co-founder Rod Morris and I believed that young children and their parents do best when they feel supported. My New Life is a podcast for parents in search of community and deeper insights into how our babies are developing. The first season is aimed at parents of infants. I’ve interviewed experts in child development and neuroscience, as well as inspiring moms with real-life struggles. My goal is to give you information that you can put into action, so you can spend the time that you do have in a really meaningful way. Look for fresh episodes to drop every other Wednesday. Thank you for being here. Together, we will make the most of this new life.