An Introduction to watch me play! Watch Me Play! is a simple way for parents or carers to help babies and young children. Being in tune, relaxed and playful together helps babies and children to grow up healthy and secure. It’s good for parents and carers too: playing together means growing together! It only takes up to 20 minutes each day! Babies and children benefit from a consistent and regular play routine with the undivided attention of their caregiver. Watch Me Play! supports social and emotional development, and promotes secure attachment. Regular play and interaction is especially important during stressful times, as babies and children will pick up on this too even though they don’t understand Greater Manchester Tavistock Mental Health = Clinic NHS Foundation Trust Foundation (Wakelyn, 2019, https: hs ukiwatch-me or PIMH, Bolionwhat are the benefits of watch me play? Babies and young children need attention to help them grow and thrive, just as plants need sunshine. Doing ‘Watch Me Play!’ every day can help babies and young children to feel safe, settled and loved, learn about who they are and the world around them and to communicate their needs Child-led play is crucial to development, including social and emotional development, learning, language, memory and attention It can help you to have a clearer idea about what might be going on in the mind of your baby or child It can help you and your baby or child to feel more connected, and strengthen your relationship together.how to do watch me play! find time Aim to find the full amount of time each day (ideally at the OQ same time) when you can give your baby or child your full attention in a quiet space, with some age appropriate toys. be baby or child led Follow their lead and go with this, try to avoid bringing in é your own agenda watch caregully eas ey Give your full attention and just gently notice what your baby/child is doing talk about what they are doing Use simple words to describe what you see your baby or child doing. talk to another adult about what you noticed OC) Have a chat with another adult about what you saw your baby or child doing and how it felt to spend time together.How is watch me play! different? Watch Me Play! is a bit different to watching your baby or seeing your child playing in the way you would normally throughout the day — it is more intensive as you are closely noticing and observing what they are doing and talking about this with them. You are led by your baby or child rather than making suggestions, not joining in (unless they ask you to). You are more closely noticing what it’s like to be with your baby or child and how this feels.Key points of watch me play! Md x Try to find a time when you can give your full attention to your baby or child and not have to share this. Try to minimise distractions e.g. turn off the TV, your phone/ computer etc. Try to find a regular time each day. Try to get on the same level as your baby or child e.g. if possible move on to the floor Depending on your child’s age or stage of development, toys may not be necessary; if using toys or books, select a simple, small range and allow your child to choose from these. Be led by your baby or child and follow what they are doing Let your baby or child know when you only have a few minutes before the watch me play! time is going to end. RO OVE Give your child the full amount of time, up to 20 minutes (a visual timer can be helpful if your child finds it hard ending the play) before starting to clear away. You can always start with orter amounts of time and gradually build this up.watch me play! Helpful ways of talking to your baby or child Here are some ideas of things you can talk about: 1 ine INTERG gesckis NG x > . Oh, you are you've picked up looking atthe. .. the... mm ENT iy co 6 EMOTI On, esc Blvg The teddy is Ss : . oh you look really you're smiling getting a big hug happy/excited/ atme frustrated you look like you good try, that was might be thinking really hard for you but About you kept going © WonpeRIn® pRraisi® At first it may feel new and different doing Watch Me Play! Over time it will get easier.watch me play! Talking to other adults about the play Not only is talking with your baby or child about their play a key part of Watch Me Play|, it’s also important to talk about this with another adult — this can be someone in the family, a friend or a professional. These conversations can happen face-to-face, by telephone or video link. Talking with another adult about what you see when you watch your baby or child, and what it feels like when you are with them, can help to problem solve things that feel difficult. Talking with another adult can also help to think about what might be on your baby or child’s mind, their feelings and how they may be experiencing the worldThe importance of play What the research tells us Play supports children in ALL aspects of their development! A baby or child whose feelings are understood and named by their parent or caregiver gets to know themselves and their feelings and is more able to trust adults. When adults think about the meaning of what their baby or child is doing, it supports their baby or child to communicate and develop a secure attachment Repetitive games support the development of skills in turn-taking and sharing. Being allowed to lead in play encourages exploration, learning and self-regulation. Showing you enjoy spending time with your baby or child helps them to manage their feelings and reduces the impact of stress when this arises. Changes you may see through watch me play: You may start to notice progress in your baby or ° child’s development. ° You may find you enjoy being with your baby/child in a different way. ° Your baby or child may become easier to soothe and calmer. o You may start to feel more confident in picking up on your baby or child’s cues, and tuning in on what is going on for him or her. These changes can take varying amounts of time before they are seen, and some may be easier or harder to see — talking to another adult can help with this.Additional helpful resources See more Watch Me Play! resources he! https://tavistockandportman nhs.uk/watch-me-play Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk/ UNICEF: Building a happy baby: A guide for parents https://www unicef org uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/happybaby_leatlet_web paf Institute of Health Visiting https://ihv org uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Getting-to-know-your-baby-FINAL-VERSION-9 11.18-2 pdf National Child Birth Trust (NCT) https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/emotional-and-social-developmenthow-and-when-do-babies-develop- social-skills Brazelton Centre UK https://www brazelton.co.uk/parents/your-babys-language/ Best Beginning/Baby Buddy App https://www.bestbeginnings.org uk/ Blackpool Better Start https://blackpoolbetterstart org uk/biglitlemoments/ Tameside Early Attachment Service You Tube film - Getting it Right from the Start Association of Infant Mental Health (AIMH) https://aimh. org uk/ 1 (Wakelyn, 2019, httpsi/Mavistockandportman nhs.ukWwatch-me-play. Resource designed jogist, Clinical Lead for PIMH, Bolton ih no alterations for therapeutic use only