1) Play is natural and universal

 

Play is such an essential part of your child’s development. From the first weeks and months of life, we see Children use play to explore their environment, this is how they learn about it, how they engage with other people, and how they interact and learn about themselves. It’s something that doesn't need to be taught. It’s a totally spontaneous natural and universal activity.

 

 

2) Play is the natural medium of expression for children

 

As human beings, we have a fundamental need to express ourselves and communicate. Children often don’t have the words to be able to do that verbally. To express their thoughts, feelings, emotions, experiences. But usually, they can do this quite easily true play. Play is the natural medium of expression for children. 

 

 

3) Play helps children learn and practice new skills

 

During play, children have a chance to learn new skills or practise new skills that they’re already trying to master. These might be real life/ real world skills (language and communication), or it might be fine and motor skills or it’s a chance for children to put some of the academic learning they're doing into practice (using things like counting, and understanding concepts like fast/slow,…) When children are playing, their playtime is when they really get a chance to seek their teeth into this learning and fully understand it. 

 

 

4) Play helps children learn about themselves 

 

During play, children have a chance to learn about themselves. They get to learn what they like and their dislike side, what their strengths are, what their interests are. Play also helps children to create situations where they can convocated fears, where they can problem-solve, they can work things out for themselves, and this all helps children to so so much more confident and share of themselves as they grow up. 

 

 

5) Playtime is when children practice their human social skills

 

The first 7 years of our life and when we really learn and master our human skills. When children are interacting and playing with one another, that’s when they’re really building social skills that we need for the rest of our lives. Things like sharing, turn-taking, trusting other people, learning to initiate activities with your friends, it’s about learning to be independent or learning to ask for help. 

 

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6) Play is fun!

 

Playing for pure enjoyment or entertainment, to relax, or to blow of steam is just as important as the other reasons why children should be playing. 

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Try to include play into your kids daily routine. :)