Almost any child psychologist will tell you that a child needs their own personal space at home, a sanctuary if you will, and a place they can call their own. When you have several children sharing bedrooms, this becomes even more important. One of the best things you can do for them, especially the younger ones, is to provide them with some sort of playhouse.
Children are already developing their sense of self at the age of one year, which is one of the reasons why this is so important. They become aware that they are their own person and develop a sense of independence. Although they may start saying ‘no’ to everything you say, it also means that they will be able to explore their new skills and test their limits. As a result, it is very important to provide them with a small place of their own.
The Importance of Playhouses for your Child
With a playhouse, children can have a space that is completely theirs and has a door they can close to isolate them from the outside world. It will be their ‘retreat’, a place where they can go when they need quiet time or want to enter into their own little world, even if it’s just for a nap. If you allow them to do this whenever they like, it will boost their self-esteem greatly as well as assure them that they will always have a safe place to go and remain in control.
In addition to being great retreats, playhouses also allow your child’s imagination to run wild and their creativity to soar. When they organise their playhouse, they will suddenly become kings or queens, or anything else they can imagine. Their imaginations and creations are vital to their development as human beings.
Many people think playhouses are only for girls, but they can be quite valuable for boys too. The boy can travel into outer space, to the high seas as a pirate, or to the scene of a fire as a fireman with a little imagination and the right playhouse. It is common for prefab playhouses to look like space capsules, pirate ships, and so on, and the realism that this adds can spur their imagination.
Depending on where in the country you live you can sometimes even put their playhouse outside or create a clubhouse or tree-house as well. Many of these ‘homes away from home’ can be a great place for children to learn valuable social skills that will be invaluable in the future. It can also be a great way for mum and dad to get the munchkins out of the house and off the floor every now and then.
Regardless of what type of children’s playhouse you choose, whether it’s a midsleeper bed with a playhouse underneath or something made from plastic or cardboard that stands alone, the benefit your child will receive from having one will be immeasurable. Just as an adult feels safe and secure in their home a child will feel the same in their playhouse and the emotional maturity that this can bring can be a benefit later in life.
