Play, What is it?
Play has many different meanings to different people. Some think it is just what children do. However, it is so much more then just playing around. During play children learn so much about themselves, the people around them, how to relate in relationships and how to act in the outside world.
Through play we have the ability to develop the whole child in terms of
emotional, social, physical, and intellectual areas of growth. Allowing children to initiate play and motivate independent learning is important to the child’s world and life outside the classroom.
What do they learn?
When children participate in play they are not only having fun, but they are
learning so much without even trying. They use all of their senses; seeing,
hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling during play. Through these senses they are learning language & vocabulary development, counting, problem solving, abstract reasoning, and math and science skills (shapes, gravity, weight, and balance). They are also building self esteem, learning to cooperate, express emotions, fine & large motor skills, social skills (cooperation, sharing, communicating), creativity and learning to use their imaginations. All of these areas are what makes a child grow into a well-round, self confident, self sufficient adult.
Benefits of Play
Beyond learning they are also developing important skills. Play gives children a sense of power and control over themselves. Play promotes imagination, allows for exploration, promotes longer attention spans, encourages deeper interest, decreases stress, allows children to practice different roles, encourages language and vocabulary development, and it is also fun!
How can Parents help?
It is important for parents to encourage children to play. They can do this by spending some “quality time” with their child, playing the things the child likes to play. Focus on your child, not the chores that need to be done, be attentive and get down to their level. Sit on the floor with them and listen to what they are saying, reflect on what they have said and then respond. Modeling your child is also a good way to help promote their play, while being sincere to their feelings. Follow your child’s lead allowing them to set the stage for the type of play you will participate in. Have fun with your child and cherish these memories, whether in a scrap book or in your mind. Share these memories at a later date with your child, to remember the days you have played. You may be surprised you as the parent may learn something from your child through this time you share playing.