Rough and Tumble Play: How and Why to Introduce it to Your Toddler
My favorite memories from childhood include a lot of wrestling, playing tag, climbing trees and learning to ride a bike the old fashioned way — without training wheels. Scrapes and bruises were a part of growing up.
Should you encourage rough and tumble play with your toddler? Or should you take a safer approach?
Experts suggest that it’s beneficial for your toddler to experience a safe, controlled form of vigorous play. Here’s why.
Table of Contents
Physical Benefits
Exercise is undoubtedly one of the most important benefits of rough and tumble play. With the advent of smartphones, technology is seeing more use by toddlers and there is less physical play.
As a parent, I love to be involved in my child’s rough and tumble play. My son is always keen to take part in a quick wrestling match with dad a few hours before bed, and it’s a great way to let off some extra energy.
As a father, the way I play with my son is a little rougher than his mother. This gives him the added excitement and intensity he needs and keeps him from being restless at bedtime.
Rough and tumble play often results in children pushing themselves to run faster, jump higher and climb farther. It instills children with a healthy sense of self-confidence.
Mental Benefits
A highly active child that experiences rough and tumble play will develop a greater ability to maintain interest and attention. Additionally, this skill allows them to learn quicker.
While playing, I find that children are usually somewhere on the spectrum between collaboration and competition. I see competition as the ability to face adversity and manage conflict.
Rough and tumble play enhances the child’s competitive drive and confidence. A child will also know when to slow down and when the competition is getting too serious.
I also observed my son cooperate well after introducing him to this type of play. He was able to develop more empathy. He shared with others and took turns.
Rough and tumble play allows your child to balance cooperation and competition.
If kids are too agreeable, they’re more likely to be stepped all over. But if they always want to win, they might not be able to work with others. A poor grasp of this concept will result in kids becoming less socially adept.
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Social Skills
Girls tend to be more vocal when expressing approval of a playmate, and boys are more tactile in this regard. Physical touch will allow boys to more easily develop their body language skills.
In particular, boys might not express their emotions readily. Rough and tumble play is a great outlet that gives them the opportunity to do exactly this.
Here’s a list of some other social benefits of rougher play.
Positive relationships
Better communication skills
Empathy
Understanding and following rules
How to Play Nice
Differentiating rough and tumble play from outright aggression is important.
Some key differences include the child’s mood and temperament. Are they smiling and enjoying themself, or frustrated and sad? If your child elicits positive emotions, you’re in the clear.
Another indicator is the level of willingness. If one child is dominating the playing area, it’s a good sign of toxic aggression. Children will be far less likely to play again if this is the case.
Rough and tumble play will often involve intense movement that is also gentle. If the contact is too rough or harsh, it can indicate aggressive play.
Healthy rough and tumble play isn’t fighting. Children are aware of this, so they’ll maintain a level of intensity that is needed to keep things interesting, but not too rough.
Keep the play area free of hazards and encourage collaborative play that involves everyone. Make sure this type of play is supervised as well. If children are not accustomed to rougher styles of play, things can go downhill quickly.
Final Thoughts
Rough and tumble play is a fun way to develop the skills your child will need later on in life. It’s a basic human instinct and children love it as well!
Just be sure to supervise the play and know the difference between play fighting and real fighting. Take it one step at a time and enjoy the process.
