Play is not only fun, but also very essential to a child’s growth and development! In fact, play is one of the main ways in which children learn and develop. Play helps to build a child’s self-worth by giving them a sense of their own abilities as well as helping them feel good about themselves. Young children can also develop many vital life skills through the power of play. They enhance their language skills, emotions, creativity, and social skills. Play helps to nurture imagination and give a child a sense of adventure. Through this, they can learn essential skills such as problem-solving, working with others, sharing, and much more. Below are three benefits (though we could list many more) that explain the importance play.
Cognitive Abilities
Play is essential for healthy brain development. When children are young, they start learning and understanding cognitive skills like paying attention, reasoning, remembering things they’ve learned and experienced, and motor skills. One study showed that children who play increased their language and social and emotional stability from 33% to 67% (Goldstein 2012)! It also has been shown that the children who play have a better memory and learn faster.
Art of Communication
Children talk and listen while they play, which allows children to develop language skills and listening skills. Play also allows them to learn how to recognize facial expressions and body language. They figure out how to strike up and carry on conversations, and how to express their thoughts and desires while playing. Not to mention, children who engage in imaginative type of play tend to have more sophisticated levels of interaction with others.
Physicality
We all know all the benefits of having an active lifestyle for adults, and the same applies to children! Active play is critical for kids’ physical development. It helps children hone their coordination, balance, gross-motor skills, as well as their fine-motor skills. It also helps children use up their natural stores of energy which help promote better eating and sleeping habits.
It goes to show that playing isn’t all just fun and games, it actually has some pretty great benefits too! A perfect way to get kids playing is getting them outside to do so! Playing outside gives the added benefits of exercise as well as fresh air and free play are known to reduce stress levels. Here at Recreation Unlimited, we have playsets, trampolines, playhouses, and more that will ensure your children will have a blast outside! Contact us at (317) 773-3545 or visit our Noblesville showroom to learn how we can help you bring the world of play to your own backyard.
References:
Goldstein, Jeffrey. “Play in Children’s Development, Health, and Well-Being.” Ornes, Feb. 2012, www.ornes.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Play-in-children-s-development-health-and-well-being-feb-2012.pdf.