The "Greenspan" Floor Time Model
Concept explored in Stanley Greenspan's Playground Politics.
Floor Time is the first part of Greenspan's five-step philosophy of good parenting. It boosts children's self esteem and strengthens the parent-child relationship. Below is a summary of this one concept from the book, I recommend reading the book to get a better idea of the concept of floor time and how it fits in with Greenspan's philosophy.
To start, parents need to devote at least 30 minutes a day as floor time. During this time, the child is in charge or directing the time. They get to choose what you are doing, what games you play together, and what you talk about. Parents shouldn't try to lead the play in any direction or attempt to discourage activities they find boring.
In Playground Politics, Greenspan talks a lot about parental boredom in floor time. He points out that by taking the time to find out more about the things your child is truly interested in will help you see your child as an actual person. During floor time, parents learn to let go of the ideal child they have in their mind and see the child for who they actually are. Boredom is often an escape route for parents who might not want to see that the assertive and confident child they want is actually more timid or shy.
Also, by spending this time parents can start to find and notice a child's unique qualities and interests. Something that is essential for helping them feel better about themselves is seeing what they are good at (and not just going by grades or teacher review). Parents can discover interests they never knew a child had and then later find ways to help encourage these interests.
Floor time is the first step in addressing problems. By spending time, everyday, with your child, you can let them express problems they are having (which might not happen right away). You are giving them the chance to talk about anything they want without fear that you are going to criticize or tell them they are wrong. You start building up trust and attachment that may have started to slip away.
Finding time to do this every day isn't easy for most parents. With work and other obligations, it can seem like a chore to find at least 30 minutes a day to "do nothing" with your child. However, even school age children need as much time as they did when they were infants. By making the time for your child, you let them know how important they are to you and establish a strong relationship foundation which is crucial when navigating problems later.
Greenspan does an excellent job describing ways to make floor time work for different situations. He addresses complications that parents have with making it happen and ways to deal with kids who are very standoffish at first. With his suggestions and by committing time to do it, he's shown that it has tremendous rewards for both the parents and child.
Finally, be sure to keep floor time child-directed. It is not a time to try to solve problems or lecture. Even if you don’t agree with things your child says, you can recognize why they are saying it and not criticize them. Save the for problem-solving time (another concept from Playground Politics).
written on October 24, 2003; modified on October 28, 2003.