Playtime to you may sound like a luxury, but for your child it is a necessity! Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of your child. This means that playing helps your child's brain develop to it's full potential. I've taken the following excerpts from The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds, a clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
There are countless benefits for your child at play because, according to the report, "when playing, children use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive and emotional strength." So while you may not understand their imaginary world, or agree with the sound engineering style of your child's block formation, play is the way your child figures out the world they live in.
Explore their world
There are countless benefits for your child at play because, according to the report, "when playing, children use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive and emotional strength." So while you may not understand their imaginary world, or agree with the sound engineering style of your child's block formation, play is the way your child figures out the world they live in.
Explore their world
The report said it best, "play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles." You may have noticed your child act out a few of the techniques seen in the doctor's office, or perhaps attempt to mirror you in your hobby. These are all ways for children to take what they've seen and make sense of it in their brain, or as the report said, master the technique or role. "As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the strength they will need to face future challenges."
Your child is eager to learn new things, and like a small scientist, is willing to figure it out through trial and error. It's important to give your child the space he/she needs to explore on their own terms. If you control play too much, they won't attempt to explore or ask questions. The report encourages "undirected play," where the child has freedom to play on her own terms, without the constant hovering or direction from a parent.
Your child is eager to learn new things, and like a small scientist, is willing to figure it out through trial and error. It's important to give your child the space he/she needs to explore on their own terms. If you control play too much, they won't attempt to explore or ask questions. The report encourages "undirected play," where the child has freedom to play on her own terms, without the constant hovering or direction from a parent.
Discover at their own pace
"Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue."
While it may be difficult to watch your child struggle through play with other children, it helps them understand others and how to work with their peers. Much of play involves adults, but that does not mean the play is controlled by adults. "When adults control play, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership and group skills."
"Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue."
While it may be difficult to watch your child struggle through play with other children, it helps them understand others and how to work with their peers. Much of play involves adults, but that does not mean the play is controlled by adults. "When adults control play, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership and group skills."
Exercise and shape healthy habits
The physical aspect of play is also a great benefit to your child. Unlike the passive entertainment outlets we find so prevalent today, play sustains and encourages active, healthy bodies. In fact, it has been suggested that encouraging unstructured play may be an exceptional way to increase physical activity levels in children, an important strategy in the resolution of the obesity epidemic. Above all, play is a simple job that is a cherished part of childhood.
The physical aspect of play is also a great benefit to your child. Unlike the passive entertainment outlets we find so prevalent today, play sustains and encourages active, healthy bodies. In fact, it has been suggested that encouraging unstructured play may be an exceptional way to increase physical activity levels in children, an important strategy in the resolution of the obesity epidemic. Above all, play is a simple job that is a cherished part of childhood.
