Playing helps communication between parents and teenagers | Key4Communications |

Playing begins to lose importance among 12 year old kids. At this age technologies begin to replace traditional toys, some times encouraging individualism.

In this regard, experts from the Spanish Children's Game Centre (OJI), promoted by the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) stress the importance of games as a means to foster communication and understanding between parents and teenagers.

However, people tend to think that playing is for children and in fact only 8.4% of Spanish young people still play with their parents after 12, according to the OJI. In spite of this fact, one must keep in mind that children, adults and seniors never stop playing, from a different perspective and with a different attitude.

The advantages of playing during adolescence
According to a research conducted by Petra M. Pérez Alonso-Geta, member of OJI, "adolescence is a basic age for formation, maturation, identification and self-discovery, and it is here where parents play a fundamental role. Teenagers need the help of their parents, in order to build bridges of communication and share leisure time."

The expert notes that "one of the most effective means of communication with parents who have young children is playing. Games contribute effectively to facilitate the process of adaptation and training, if presented properly. They also allow fun together, promote the exchange of personal experiences, strengthen bonding and lay the foundation for good communication between generations."

Toys and games for teenagers
For Pérez Alonso-Geta, "the most appropriate games for teens are those that present challenges", such as board games based on knowledge, strategy or team working, for example. This expert also recommends hobbies, as well as crafts and sports. "Let us not forget that behind their energy and dynamism, there is a full potential of innovative challenges; if parents help them, this potential could lay the foundations for a promising future. "

How teens spend their time
The research shows that the most shared activity by parents and teenagers is watching television, with 66.3% of families. Only 61.3% of teenagers usually talk to their parents about current issues or any other matter, and 19.2% share leisure activities.