Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond with Kids Through Play

YA author and parenting coach Mannino (The Scythe Wielder’s Secret) makes a convincing case that engaging in imaginative play with kids is an essential way for parents to combat stress and bond as a family. Mannino argues that the foundational “yes, and” mindset of improv can provide a jumping-off point for caretakers and their children to shake off self-consciousness and get creative. Parents and kids can come up with inventive scenarios to get playtime rolling, he explains, by thinking of ideas as bricks that can be stacked together into an ever-taller tower (for example, if a child declares she’s a princess, instead of just saying “okay,” the parent could respond by pretending to be a stable hand readying her horse). Mannino recommends setting a timer for 10 minutes, putting aside distractions like TV and cell phones, and committing to accepting every idea (or “brick”) that comes up. When the real world feels heavy, improv-based play can offer parents an escape, he says. In one poignant example, he recalls how his young son pulled him out of early-pandemic anxiety by building a chair-and-pillow “rocket ship” and inviting him to explore the solar system. Mannino’s optimistic, inquisitive approach and concrete suggestions will help parents rediscover the thrill of imagination. (Jan.)