Let’s Play!

Written by McKenzie Myers and Michaela Tratos, MS, LPC

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood” - Fred Rogers

When was the last time you sat down to just play? No rules, no outcome, no planning, just play. Play is something that can get lost when we are focused on entertaining children, teaching children, when the truth is that play is the greatest teacher of them all. The benefits and learning opportunities children gain from play cannot be overstated. Come with us and dive into the widespread, long-term positive effects play has on children’s lives.

Play vs. Activity

Play is self-chosen and self-directed. There is no real end goal but to let the imagination take flight. During play, the means are more valued than ends. Play involves engagement, a child being active and alert. Play means a relaxed and not-stressed state of mind. Play is complex behavior that is full of spontaneity. With play, there is no right or wrong. In play children are allowed to make their own decisions and use their imaginations without limits. In early childhood, play is the a child’s language.

What’s not play? Activity. Activity is different from play. Activity has rules, structure, and an intended end-goal. While activities are fun, and can be playful, they limit decision-making and imagination for children. We direct the behavior and what children may interact with. While activities have their place, play is essential.

Why Play Is Important

Play allows a child to explore their world and develop their own world view. Play involves the whole child, giving feedback in different ways such as sensory, cognitive, and neuromuscular. Play lets a child repeat and practice their experiences, imitating the world around them,

figuring out their own limitations and exploring their world. Play, especially in early childhood, is a child’s language.

Language, you ask? Yes! Play gives children a chance to create a mental image, or a symbolic way to put meaning to words. Playing is key to give a child the chance to build relational meanings between object and language. A child can play out an experience or feeling long before they have the words to describe them. Play is key in long-term language development.

Play is also an avenue for children to learn and practice cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills that will serve them throughout their entire lives. Play fosters healthy brain development. It builds and strengthens the neuro connections in the prefrontal cortex of the brain that are used for learning, problem-solving, and understanding the world around us.

A few of the skills children build and practice through play include:

• confidence

• self-esteem

• resilience

• interaction

• social skills

• independence

• curiosity

• coping with challenging situations

Imagination

When people think of play, one of the first things that comes to mind is imagination. During play, children stretch their creativity and imagination. They boost their confidence and understanding of the world through acting out various situations. They practice creating rules

and abiding by rules others created. These skills assist children in developing healthy relationships, practice creative thinking, and navigating real world situations.

Social Skills

While play encourages independence, it also helps children develop social skills with others. Listening, paying attention, and sharing play experiences helps children explore their own emotions, develop self-discipline, and learn how to express themselves. Play even helps children learn how to avoid arguments and learn social ques, such as “They do not like it when I yell inside”.

Make time for play!

As you can see, play is more than many people give it credit for. It is a crucial part to a child’s social and emotional development. Play helps children familiarize themselves with the world

while learning and testing their own limits. Most importantly, they are engaged in an action that provides them enjoyment. As a parent or teacher, practice letting the children take the

reins and play without the limits of structure or guidelines. Allow their imagination to flourish and enjoy watching them grow!

Sources:

How play helps Children's development. Nidirect. (2022, June 8). Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/how- play-helps-childrens-development#:~:text=Play%20improves%20the%20cognitive%2C%20physical,confidence

What is playtime so important?: Child development resources. (2022, May 24). Pathways.org. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://pathways.org/why-is-play-important/

Not just child’s play: The relationship between play and language. https://professionals.cid.edu/not-just-childs-play-the-relationship-between- play-and-language/

Relationships between Pretend Play in Preschool and Later Language Skills. Westby, C. (2017, September/October).

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/fu