EAT, SLEEP, PLAY - REPEAT!
All Things Play
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Why is play so important?
It is nature's way!
There has been a huge amount of research done throughout recent years looking into how infants and children learn. That research shows us that play is vitally important to the development of our children's brains. Naturally, our babies and children use play to learn about the world around them and how to interact with it.
Here is a brief outline of five ways in which play is vitally important.
1. Brain Development
Play both expands and strengthens the network of connections in the developing brains of infants and children. It also increases the size of the pre-frontal cortex, making the brain more efficient at planning, problem solving and regulating.
2. Physical Dexterity
Play and movement help children to stay active and maintain a healthy weight. Physical play is a vital to the development of children's fine and gross motor skills which enable them to coordinate themselves and carry out very precise tasks.
3. Creativity
Play allows space for children to try new ways of doing and creating things. Creative pursuits are self-motivated and children have full control over what and how they create. Allowing children opportunities to play in such a way builds their confidence and increases the enjoyment of these types of activities.
4. Emotional Development
Play provides children with a space to explore the range of emotions that they feel. It is a natural way for children to increase their resilience and coping skills as well as developing empathy for self and others.
5. Social Skills
It is through different kinds of play that children learn how to interact with others. Children should have opportunities to play independently, alongside their peers and with adults and children of different ages. This helps them to understand how to be successful in social situations and to identify the times when they would prefer to be alone.
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