How to Play and Learn with Your Child

Simple Guide: How to Play and Learn with Your Child

As a Child Psychologist at Shikhar Center for Inclusive Learning, I often share one powerful secret with parents: You are your child’s best teacher. You don’t need a fancy clinic in Whitefield or KR Puram to see real progress. What you need is the ability to truly connect.

The most important skill we work on is Joint Attention — a simple but powerful concept that means looking at the same thing together. When you and your child focus on the same toy, book, or object, their brain is actively learning and building connections.

A Simple Daily Tip for Parents

Stop trying to lead all the time. Instead, follow your child. If they are staring at a spoon, look at the spoon with them. Talk about it with excitement. This small act makes them feel seen and understood, which dramatically speeds up language development and emotional bonding.

Age-Wise Play & Learn Activities

• 0–3 Years (Focus: Eye Contact & First Connections)

• Common challenge: Lack of eye contact or response when called.

• Simple activity: Play Peek-a-Boo by hiding your face with a cloth and popping out with a big smile.

• Goal: Build eye contact and waiting skills.

How to respond: Laugh happily and say “Yay! You found me!” to encourage more interaction.

• 3–6 Years (Focus: Communication & Requesting)

• Common challenge: Difficulty asking for things (speech delay).

• Simple activity: Place a favourite toy on a high shelf where they can see it but cannot reach it.

• Goal: Encourage pointing, sounds, or words to request.

How to respond: Give the toy immediately and label it clearly — “Car! You want the car!”

• 6–9 Years (Focus: Self-Control & Following Instructions)

• Common challenge: Trouble following rules or waiting their turn.

• Simple activity: Play the Stop & Go game — run when you say “Go” and freeze when you say “Stop”.

• Goal: Develop self-control and impulse management.

How to respond: Celebrate with a high-five every time they stop quickly.

• 9–12 Years (Focus: Social Skills & Emotional Resilience)

• Common challenge: Difficulty making friends or handling disappointment.

• Simple activity: Play simple board games like Ludo or Snakes & Ladders together.

• Goal: Learn turn-taking, sharing, and graceful losing.

How to respond: Stay calm and say, “It’s okay to lose. We’ll try again next time.”

Why These Simple Activities Work Wonders

Life in Whitefield, KR Puram, and Bangalore East is fast-paced, but you don’t need hours of formal “work.” Just 10–15 minutes of these joyful games every day can create massive improvements in speech, behaviour, attention, and emotional regulation — whether your child has autism, ADHD, speech delay, or learning challenges.

These small, everyday moments are where real therapy happens.

At Shikhar.app, we strongly believe that every parent can become a hero in their child’s journey. You already have the love — we simply give you the right tools and techniques.

Start today. One game. One connection. One step closer to your child’s peak.

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