Spending quality time with family has a significant, positive impact on children’s emotional and behavioural development.  Studies have shown that when families spend quality time together, it improved children’s emotional wellbeing, higher academic achievement, and lower involvement in dangerous activities.  The ultimate goal of family time is to create opportunities for all the family member to have fun, love, and understand each other.  It is an essential time for the children to develop and maintain relationships with family members.

Positive communication

Time together as a family creates opportunities for family members to listen to each other and being open to express their thoughts and feelings.  Children are more likely to open up to family members if they spend more quality time together, and having good communication helps the children to feel comfortable with talking to about anything.  Togetherness also encourages both children and parents to discuss difficult things or sensitive topics, especially with teenagers.  Families need to show appreciation and encouragement to each other when having family time.

Positive behaviour

When families participate in meaningful activities together, children learn to work collaboratively with others and to work towards a common goal.  They also learn to plan strategies and discover the benefits of working with others.  As mentioned above, research has shown that increased family time decreased a child’s behavioural problems and risky behaviours, particularly in aggressive behaviour.  A study by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that teens who had infrequent family dinners (2 or fewer per week) and had a poor relationship with their parents were 2 to 4 times more likely to use marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco.

Sharing memories, activities, trying new experiences together are a positive step towards strengthening family bonds.  Families who spend time together form strong emotional ties and the ability to adapt well to situations as a family.  Hence, sharing hobbies, sports, books, movies, or other activities are crucial in creating a positive bond within the family. It is no doubt that children will feel loved and understand how important they are to their parents as they spend more time with them.

Spending quality time as a family allows the opportunity for children to practice social skills at home in a natural context.  It provides an opportunity for children to resolve conflicts, negotiate, and understand others.  Children may have difficulties in navigating challenging social situations, and time together offers the best opportunity for parents to role model the behaviour that they expect of their children.  Children need to see how their parents cope with risks, problems and social interactions.

Practical tips for spending more time together as a family

Below are some suggestions to encourage quality family time:

Movie night

Ask each person what their favourite movie is to give each person a chance to choose one of their favourites.  Prepare the night together by serving popcorn or soft drinks to make it feel as if you are at the movies.  After finishing watching, the family may gather and share their thoughts or comments about the film.

Baking/Cooking

A fun baking or cooking session can bring the family together.  This can include making cookies, muffins, pizza, decoration or any of a family’s favourite meals.  It is an interactive and fun activity where parents have the opportunity to teach their children the skills to work in a different role and share the food once completed.

Dinner Time

Sitting down to dinner is a great way to connect and share the details of everyone’s day. A family may prepare the meal together, which will foster their bonding or you may order takeaway food and enjoy together.

Games

Playing a game is one of the best ways to bring the family together with tons of laughter.  Games may include board games such as Monopoly, Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit, card games, or video games such as Nintendo Switch, Xbox or Play Station.

Outdoor activities

Going outdoors and playing sports or hiking can be a part of family fun and offers everyone benefits. When playing sport is not suitable, take a picnic, a walk or watch sports together as a family.