The Importance of Play in Child Development

It is now February. It is already a month since we started school for 2010. Time really flies.

On the first week of school, we allocated more time for play in our daily lesson plan. I realised that as the children play, they are so engaged with what they are doing that they hardly had any time disturbing their friends. I noticed that the children who was once known as 'the naughty boy' or 'the boy who likes to disturb his friends' was in such good behaviour. He did not disturb his friends, but was playing together with them.

It is known that “Children learn best when they are playing”. This is what we often hear and learn from researches. However, in today’s competitive world, many children are being deprived from play as parents may say that it is just a “waste of time”. Parents want their child to succeed and put their time to good use, and some may think that the best way is only by sending them for extra classes. I am not saying that extra classes are bad for children, but there have to be a balance in what we do. Therefore, today, I would like to share with you a few of the benefits of play.

Benefit #1: Play allows children to develop physically.

As children play, they exercise their fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination and dexterity. During Physical Education lesson in school, when we want to help our children in their hand-eye coordination, we plan activities such as catching a ball. When we want our children to have good gross motor skills, we bring our children out to the playground to jump into hoops on one foot or two feet. We also have activities to help children with their fine motor skills such as threading, buttoning, lacing, pouring and many more.

Picture taken from http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/playtime-00000000014868/page21.html

Benefit #2: Play allows children to develop intellectually.

Children learn to solve problems, investigate and discover, explore cause and effect and think critically when they play. During small group activities, we allow children to play with jigsaw puzzles as it helps in their problem solving skills. Blocks are also a good open-ended toy for children. When children want to build a tall tower using blocks, they will need to explore what is the best way to stack the blocks. They will need to think critically and make decisions. They will also need to think of ways to solve the problem if the tower is not stable. As children play, they use their creativity and imagination. This is important for a healthy brain development.

Picture taken from http://www.nhbvi.com/Agenda/Goal1/Book1/index.htm

Benefit #3: Play allows children to develop socially.

Children learn how to share, take turns, resolve conflicts and negotiate with one another. During outdoor play in school, when children are playing in the playground and there are only two swings available, the children will have to learn to take turns and share with one another. This is the time when children also learn how to communicate with their friends non-verbally, such as using body language, eye contact, sign language and facial expression and verbally, as they learn to speak a certain language as they communicate with one another. Children become more confident while playing and this enhances their self-esteem.

Picture taken from http://www.little-tikes-climbing-frame.co.uk/little-tikes-tropical-playground-climber.php

These are just a few of the many benefits of play. Therefore, we as teachers, parents or caregivers should recognize these benefits and allow our children to grow in the best way they can. The best part of it, children will play without being forced to do so. They love and enjoy doing it!

For more information, you can visit:

http://www.child-development-guide.com/importance-of-play.html
http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playFINAL.pdf
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-your-child-benefits-from-play_64065.bc