Importance of Play

“Play is the highest form of research.” -  Albert Einstein

Play is one of the best memories we all have of childhood. The endless hours spent doing “nothing” are actually very important. They lay the foundation for learning and growth for all children. 

For them, there is no division between playing and learning; between the things they do ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ Everything is a new adventure, a fresh challenge and an opportunity to have fun. 

Play also helps your child in a number of ways:

Builds confidence

Through play, your child learns how to do things on their own and keep themselves both engaged and entertained. This builds a sense of self-reliance and confidence

Develop social and communication skills 

At a younger age, babies learn to communicate through play. Language skills and expression are greatly enhanced through active play, as they need to express themselves while playing. As children grow, the concept of taking turns, cooperation and sharing is imbibed through play.

Improve and acquire physical skills 

Reaching out, crawling and often cruising are encouraged by keeping favourite toys as bait and making fetch games around them. Similarly, walking, jumping, and balance are integral skills learnt and perfected through play

Learn about the world around them

Play is the most relatable way for children to make sense of the world around them. It is through this that the simplest skills like fetching, throwing and holding are learnt. Cognitively too, play encourages learning of concepts like colours, shapes, numbers etc.

Provides a safe environment to bond with adults

During play, it is adults who enter a child’s “world” and engage them on their terms. This provides a sense of comfort and familiarity to children and helps them bond better. For adults, too, play is an important way of understanding and relating to their children.

Allows children to learn through doing

Play encourages experimentation. By trying out new things and new ways of doing things, children learn better

Give children ample, unscheduled time to be creative, to reflect and play as their heart desires. Encourage your child to engage in active play (running around or playing tag) in lieu of passive entertainment (video games or television). Let them do the playing, rather than the toys doing it for them.

If you choose to join in your child’s play, try not to take it over and force the incorporation of your ultimate learning objectives into their play. Structured adult-led activities have their time and place, but sometimes let children control and decide their own play.

Encourage your children to play as much as possible. Not only are they adding beautiful memories, but they are also learning in the process.