School-age children at play

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Between the ages of six and nine your child will mature and develop markedly. Just by playing together, you encourage and enhance this process.

Your child's day is now more structured to fit around school, with lots of rules to follow. Having free time to play and ponder is very valuable, as children still need time to let their thoughts roam, to explore ideas and to just run around for fun.

Research shows that sometimes parents can worry that their child is not doing enough structured activities, but often the time spent on self-directed play can be the most valuable.

Playing gives your child time to create, think through ideas and imagine. Playing board games helps to consolidate maths skills and teaches taking turns.

Reading together continues to extend reading skills and vocabulary.

Your older child may revel in being independent. Playing together can keep you close – just kicking a footy in the backyard helps to strengthen your bond and also helps your child's physical skills.

School is a great new adventure for most children. Even though your child will probably enjoy this adventure, he will still need nurturing and support to deal with any new anxieties or concerns that come up.

New hobbies or interests may develop now. These can be a great basis for self-directed learning. Your child might start to devour books and magazines on any subject that she gets interested in, whether it is motorbikes or horses or bugs.

Your child becomes more responsible and independent at this age, and can be trusted with one or two jobs around the house.

Your child’s social skills are also increasing. By the age of nine your child may have formed special friendships with one or two other children, probably of the same sex.

As with play at any age, the focus is on having a good time rather than learning, and on letting your child take the lead with play. Learning follows naturally when play is fun.

Play ideas for school-age children

• School sports and games – you might want to discuss physical play activities with your child's school
• Bikes (with trainer wheels), and other wheeled toys
• Threading beads and string, and other simple crafts
• Home-made puppets
• Dress-up games and pretend play
• Jumping and dancing to a favourite piece of music
• Interactive computer games and educational CD-ROMS
• Puzzles and jigsaws
• Cubby houses
• Playing with musical instruments
• Gardening together
• Helping to prepare dinner, or simple cooking ideas
• Trips to the local playground
• Painting and making prints with sponges or toothbrushes
• Simple card games or board games
• Watching a favourite TV show or video

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