Continuing our theme of deepening family connections, inspired by Lou Harvey-Zahra, here are some more simple fun ways to keep connecting!
*Giant steps – Have your child stand on your feet as you make your way to the bathroom and bedroom with a ‘heave-ho’ toss into bed.
*A magic carpet ride – use an old towel or sheet to pull along with child sitting down………all the way to bed and the land of Nod.
*Piggy back ride with a jiggety-jig around the house and off to bed.
*Follow the leader – You take turns making your way to bed, copying the leader but have some rules about the pathway so it doesn’t go on and on and on when your child is leading.
*Pretend to trot to bed on a dappled pony or motorbike…….remember to park/ tie up horsey at end of bed when you arrive.
*The Grand Ol’ Duke of York – learn the verse and march your way to bed.
Chose only one option, to do once each evening on the way to bathroom and bed, no repeats. Your child will need to wait for the next evening for another turn or different choice. If you start repeating on demand, you will quickly struggle to get your little one to bed and the energy aroused will not support ‘sleep’. The co-operation around this idea is linked to the ‘bedtime’ routine, not a late-night playtime opportunity.
For more simple ideas on introducing family games and rhythms, we highly recommend these books by Lou Harvey-Zahra:
