Why is play so important?
Play is a child’s primary occupation and can be described as “any spontaneous or organised activity that provides enjoyment, entertainment, amusement or diversion (Parham & Fazio, 2008, p. 448)”.
Through play, children occupy their time and learn new skills required for positive growth and development. Play develops and enhances a child’s physical health, social emotional well-being, and mental health. Play also allows the child to learn how to problem solve new challenges which is vital for everyday life as an adult.
Play is the means by which children develop their cognitive skills, attention, executive functioning, hand eye coordination, language, self-regulation, fine and gross motor skills, behaviour, creativity and self-confidence.
Research further demonstrates that children who engage in play frequently grow quickly, experience higher levels of success in school and develop healthy lifelong habits.
How can adults support children to develop play skills?
- During their first few months, babies enjoy vocal play such as talking and singing, colour mobiles and rattles and games involving moving their arms and legs. Encourage your baby to participate in games whilst lying on his/her back, belly, or side, or whilst supported in your lap.
- As babies learn to reach, grasp for objects and sit on their own, they enjoy toys that involve squeezing, stacking or pulling apart, as well as mirror play and balls.
- Babies and young children enjoy interactive games such as peek-a-boo, books and music.
- Babies learn about objects and their functionality through putting objects in their mouths. Ensure that objects are safe and do not pose a choking hazard.
- As children learn how to walk and run, they enjoy chasing, hide and seek, climbing and pull toys.
- Toddlers and young children develop hands skills through playing games such as dropping shapes into slots, scribbling with crayons, books with sounds and through imaginary and role play such as using a toy telephone or building using a toy hammer.
- Imitation and pretend play continues to develop throughout childhood. Children learn through dress-up play, puppets, toy cars and trains.
- Young children enjoy construction games such as puzzles and building with Lego. These games further support visual skills and coordination as well as problem solving.
- Children enjoy playing and learning about different textures such as paints, playdough, and sand. These activities are also great for developing hand skills and strength.
references
Parham, L. D., & Fazio, L. (2008). Play in occupational therapy for children. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier