Toddler (2 years to 4 years)

Toddlers play more as compared to children of other age groups. They learn things through play. However, the problem with toddlers is that they are very possessive about their things and may not share their toys with other kids. This is when you have to step in as a parent.

Uma Iyer, mother of three year old says, "My son is the only child and he just will not share his things with others. In fact he does not even appreciate if I or his father touches any of his stuff either. He is too possessive. People suggest that I for a second child but since I am working, I will not be in a position to look after both of them and I am worried that my son will not have any friends because of his possessive behaviour."

Also Read: Ma, He is Not Giving Me My Doll

You need to teach your child to share things with other children. You can do this by taking your child to a park or a children's garden and help her interact with other children. For example, if you find a child of the same age group, you can encourage your child to shake hands with the other kid and introduce some kind of game between the two. In this way, your child will find play fun and will start playing.

You can also get other children of your building to your home and help your child play with them. However, you need to make sure that you do not impose any constraints. Leave them free and let them play as per their desire.

You can enrol your child in a play group. This will help her interact with other children of her age group and she will learn to play.

You can encourage your child to play more games by getting her the right toys with good colours and sounds for her age.

Also Read: Toys That Teach You too

Primary School Kids (5 years to 9 years)

Gayatri Iyer, a mother of a six year old says, "My daughter stays glued to cartoon network all through the day. When I ask her to go out and play, she just plays for maximum 45 minutes and comes back running to switch on the television so that she does not miss her favourite cartoon."

This is the age group which is slightly difficult to handle. Children in this age group are likely to imitate their parents. If you are a television addict then your child is also likely to be glued to the television and may refuse to go out and play.

Also Read: My Child is a TV Addict

In such cases, you must take a step further and start playing with your child. In the evenings, you can take your child out and play with her. You can start playing games like cricket or badminton while you are out and while at home you can play games like snakes and ladders, ludo, etc. Children will then find playing fun and start playing on their own.