Playtime is not just for kids.

Parents should join in too.

"Children learn by imitation. During play, they observe the way parents talk and do things and they copy them. This allows parents to pass along important values, new words and information in a fun and engaging way," said Dr Joanne Staunton, a cognitive psychologist at Paediatric Centre.

Parents can talk, coo and sing to as well as touch babies to help them explore and express various emotions.

As for older children, parents can engage them in group activities like making play dough.

Ms Rachel Woon, a play specialist at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, said: "An empty box can be made into a pretend house and playing dress up with old clothes or jewellery is a good form of pretend play. Having pets can also teach children responsibility and tenderness."

When playing with their children, it is important that parents enter the child's world as an equal.

DrStaunton said they should not act as an observer, monitor or provider and they should not just sit beside or near the child while the child plays alone.

She added that parents should play with their children for at least 30 minutes a day.

Not all games are created equal either.

Dr Chong Shang Chee, associate consultant at University Children's Medical Institute at National University Hospital, said: "Sports games played with others enhance social and motor development more than sedentary games like video games."

"Video games may emphasise reflexes but they take away the element of social interaction."

Other indoor games like word and board games are a good alternative to video games as they involve turn-taking and problem solving.

Does all play and no work make little Jack a naughty boy?

Dr Staunton said: "The problem is insufficient interaction between parent and child."

She advised parents whose children do not recognise their authority to do the following.

Set aside 30 minutes of play or interaction time with their child every day.

Give unsolicited praise to their child at least five times a day, highlighting behaviours that they wish their child to repeat.

Determine what and why behaviours or actions garner a "no" and be firm.

Changing your decision frequently from a "no" to a "yes" teaches the child to ignore the former.

Put in place a system of negative and positive consequences.

For example, a child who has behaved badly has to face negative consequences like not being able to watch TV.

However, the punishment should be limited to that day only and explained to the child as a warning before they have engaged in bad behaviour.

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This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times