How playtime helps you bond with your toddler

Playtime is more than just fun – it’s a special way to bond with your toddler and build a connection that will last for years.

“Playing with your toddler, touching, smiling and laughing with them is one of the

most special moments you can share. Not only is it a great time to create memories you’ll always cherish, but it’s also an important time to bond,” says Harsha Maharaj, a clinical psychologist at Mediclinic Sandton.

Creating a strong bond gives your toddler a safe, secure base from which to explore the world. “Toddlers whose parents are warm, responsive, loving and emotionally available tend to grow to be comfortable with expressing both negative and positive feelings in a healthy way. They’re also less likely to want to avoid unpleasant feelings,” says Maharaj.

Benefits of bonding from a young age

How you interact with your child helps shape the person they will become. Maharaj explains some of the many benefits of spending quality time with your toddler:

Emotional wellbeing: Children who feel loved, supported, and noticed by their parents as they grow up are more likely to become confident, emotionally balanced adults. They also learn healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions and stressful situations.

Social skills: Through play, children learn to understand and respect other people’s boundaries. They also learn how to express their own boundaries in a way that's socially acceptable.

Cognitive development: A nurturing environment is a safe space where toddlers can satisfy their curiosity and explore. This helps them develop their skills and a love for learning, which can benefit them academically in the future.

Resilience: Research has shown that children who feel securely attached to their parents are more resilient and better able to bounce back from tough situations. This also helps build their self-confidence.

Quality time over quantity of time

“Parents often feel guilty for not spending enough time with their child, especially when they're working full-time and trying to be there for both family and friends,” says Maharaj. However, the quality of time spent together is more important than the amount of time, she says.

Time-strapped parents can turn routine activities into opportunities for playtime and bonding. “Bathtime is a great opportunity to connect with your toddler and making it fun for them will make the experience both enjoyable and beneficial,” says Maharaj. Bedtime is another chance to bond. “Keep in mind that toddlers have short attention spans, so reading shorter stories with lots of repetition is effective. It helps with language development while also giving you quality time with your little one.”

Even cooking can be playtime – set up a corner in the kitchen with some pots and spoons and let your toddler “help”, suggests Maharaj. “Incidental learning is a crucial part of learning at this age.”

Games to play with toddlers

Maharaj says playtime should include eye contact, physical touch, words of encouragement, and shared laughter. Some games that help with toddler development include:

• Peek-a-boo: “It helps with separation anxiety and teaches trust through the element of surprise.”
• Hide and seek: “It indirectly teaches your child about object permanence. Your toddler begins to realise that ‘just because I’m not able to see something doesn’t mean that it does not exist’.”
• Follow the leader: “This helps them learn to take turns and connect through movement.”
• Catch: “Rolling a ball back and forth with your toddler teaches them to interact and respond.”
• Copy me: “When you copy your child’s actions, you’re encouraging them to mirror you and build a connection.”

Building a bond with your toddler through playtime is rewarding and gives you a front seat as you watch them explore the world. Each moment helps them grow, and the connection you build will last a lifetime. Enjoy these precious times – they’re shaping their future!