Giveaway :: Play all day with Small Fry's latest book

Yay! The Small Fry ladies have been busy making another book. This one is dedicated to one of our favourite things to do (and I'm sure one of yours) — play!
We all know play is super-important for little minds, helping them to build essential life skills and make sense of this world, but as an adult I sometimes find myself resisting play. I get a case of the I'm-too-busies or let's-not-make-a-big-mess-that-Mama-has-to-clean-ups. Do you ever find yourself doing that? Sometimes there are legitimate things you need to do (like make food so that your littles are alive tomorrow to play some more) and it's also great for children to have some independent play time but I really think we adults could play a bit more. It's fun so why not, huh?
So if you need any encouragement on making play time a priority this book is it. It not only explains the importance and relevance of play for growing minds and bodies but gives lots of practical applications with great games and crafts and ideas on making your spaces fun and safe.
It also celebrates the connection play brings between family members. Nothing brings my littles closer than a game of mud pies in the back yard and I know how much they value Mama and Dada letting go and getting into the swing of a game of fairies or moon explorers.
One thing I'm really loving about this book is the sense of simplicity it imparts. Play doesn't have to be complicated or hard work. You don't have to devise crafts that would outsmart Martha Stewart. We all know that the simple things in life can bring the greatest joy and the area of play is no exception to that. Sometimes a rock can be all you need to have a fun-filled day with your special little people.
One of the authors of Play, early childhood guru Sue Cant has kindly shared her top 10 tips for Play with us:
1. Time to relax. Make time every day to let your children play freely. This will build creativity and social skills and give them time to de-stress.
2. Create balance. Make time and space for active, noisy play and quiet, alone play. Children need both to fuel their minds and bodies.
3. The toy debate. Find toys and other items to play with that have more than one use. A blanket can be a tent , a flying carpet, the skin of a dinosaur or something to cuddle up in when we read a book together. When buying toys ask yourself what will my child do with this toy? Will it stand up to the job!
4. Mess is good! Busy minds shouldn't have to worry (within reason) about mess. If it's really messy take it outside or plan a space where it is OK to be messy.
5. You're the parent. Set simple limits that make sense to your child and stick to them! In play your child is learning about the world and their place in it, sometimes that means children need limits to help them play safely.
6. Build resilience. Encourage your child to try new things and to challenge themselves physically and mentally according to their skill and development. The world can be a tough place at times so help them to learn how to manage that risk by building determination and self assurance.
7. Expand your child's world. Be brave try out new things and places together. This builds interest and curiosity which will enhance your child's play.
8. Interact. Make time to read, sing, dance and talk to your child everyday to build connections that will last a life time.
9. Make time for you. Parenting is challenging. Make a little time each day to do something for you. Five minutes might be all you can get but use it to feed your own spirit.
10. Hug them every day no matter what. No matter what the day has brought hug them before bed. This gives them the message that they are important and in turns feeds their self confidence to explore and create tomorrow.
And to celebrate the book's release and spread the love of play the lovely Small Fry team are giving away three copies of their book.
All you have to do to enter is drop a comment below. That's it. The competition will close Sunday October 11 at midnight AEDST. Good luck.
For me this book has sparked a dedication to make this school holidays all about connecting with my littles through play so I'm giving the blog a rest. I'll pop back in to let you know who won the books but other than that I'll see you all in two weeks. Have fun x