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Topics Discussed:1) The Importance Of Encouragement And Praise In The Development Of A Child
2) The Importance Of Play In A Child’s Development. B) Why Parents Should Play
Workshop Questionaire sheet.
With Their Child.
Generated by Madam Mercy Ane Akaragwe
Scenario1: My son is the calm type. Loves to play at home by himself. Is not interested in
playing outside. His uniform is always clean. He doesn’t really have any particular friend. He is
intelligent and can be very creative about play ideas. He is very good at the things he can do but
is unwilling or reluctant to try new things. He never destroys anything or makes the house untidy
for any reason. He doesn’t like to be disturbed and he doesn't like to play with me so I leave him
alone. He is easy to handle because while he is busy doing his own things, I have enough time
for my self and can do my own things.
Scenario 2: My son likes to play at home or outside. So it is easy for me to play with him. He is
intelligent and very creative about play ideas. He has many friends but gets into trouble* most
of the time he goes out to play .However, he manages to maintain the same friends for a long
time. He is intelligent. He never gives up on anything (a game, helping or academics) without
trying several times. Most of the time he tries to fix things or help do something.
Scenario 3: My son is a born leader. He likes playing outside and at home. But he plays only with
people he can control or only games he is sure to win. He is intelligent and creative. However, he
gets very angry when he losses a game. He is not an easy person to play with. He has lots of
friends but he keeps changing friends every time. He gets very angry when he tries to fix
something and is unsuccessful . He abandons any activity or game he finds challenging.
Discuss your opinion to each question with your group and write your chosen response in the spaces provided.
1) Which son do you admire the most? _____________________Why _____________________
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2) What do you think can be the reasons why son 3 keeps changing friends?
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3) Would you describe son 1 as being scared? How do you think he will be able to respond to
life's challenges in the future? ___________________________________________________
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4) Do you think expressing an interest in his play(without criticising or correcting) will make him
allow you to join him in playing?___________________________________________________
5) Why do you think son 2 gets into trouble most of the time? ___________________________
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6) Would you prefer a child that gets into trouble sometimes or a child that never gets into
trouble? Explain: _________________________________________________________
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7 ) Which more appropriately describes playing with your child. 1) Bring yourself down to your
child's level by joking with your child and teasing him in an activity. 2) Getting involved in your
child’s activity on an equal basis in a non competitive and non controlling manner.
*Trouble implies, getting your uniform dirty, getting into a fight, loosing and item. Or damaging an item by accident. It excludes
insulting, stealing or causing intentional harm or destruction.
Circle: Which child stands a better chance at becoming a successful adult?
1) The child who attempts things and though he gets into trouble keeps trying harder even with no
success but hoping he will succeed someday. A child who goes out and face challenging
situations with friends daily though he may get into trouble.
2) A child who is very good at the things he can do, is afraid to try new things because he thinks it is
dangerous, or he may not succeed or worst still he may get into trouble;
3) A child who loves to be in control, is very good at the things he can do, is ready to try new things
but quickly abandons them because he finds it difficult or because he is not very good at it
2nd scenario: A boy is trying to do “tapping” the ball outside. He is barely able to tap up to 5 times.
Dad comes in and asked to play with him. Dad takes the ball and taps it to a hundred. He jokingly
mocks his son. “Do you see what I can do? You cannot even do 10. The he says”. You try now.
1) Place yourself I the boy’s position. How will you feel? _________________________________
2) Do you think he will love to play with Dad again? __________. Explain: ____________________
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Discuss the things that went wrong in this father and son play.
Section 2
1st scenario: You are eating, your child brings you drinking water without you asking. In the
process, she spills water on a just dry cleaned floor and messes the house.
What will be your immediate reaction? _____________________________________________
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Do you see anything in her action that warrants praise? ______ Explain: ___________________
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What do you think should be your best response in such a situation: _______________________
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How do you think this response will help in building your child: ____________________________
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2nd scenario: Your child has never discussed activities in school with you before. He rushes in one
afternoon and proudly announces with excitement that “Dad, we did racing today and I came 5 th .
What will be your immediate response? _____________________________________________
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Do you see anything in her action that warrants praise? ______ Explain: ___________________
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What do you think should be your best response in such a situation? _____________________
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How do you think this response will help in building your child? ___________________________
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What is the difference between “reward” and “praise”? __________________________________
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Imagine for a moment that your response was… “ that is very good. Have you ever done racing
before”? Child’s response: “Yes and I have always come 10th. This is the first day I am 5th”.
Check this with your first response and compare which best helps your child’s development. .