The Four Major Developmental Benefits of Play Time
THE POWER OF PLAY TIME
By: Kate Ford
Play is essential for littles and encompasses everything from free imaginative time to structured fitness classes such as swim lessons or soccer. Even the youngest littles benefit from routine daily play time which is why many programs (including ours!) offer mommy and me classes for babies. Most parents know that play matters but why exactly is playtime so important?
Essentially, your child’s development depends on it! Play time benefits your little’s growth in so many ways - let’s break down the four major benefits below!
Physical:
This is probably the most obvious benefit - play gets your little active! Play time helps to increase strength and endurance as well as developing both fine and gross motor skills.
Cognitive:
“Play and learning go hand-in-hand - they are not separate activities”
Did you know that play time helps with your little’s brain development as well? Play encourages critical thinking and pushes your little to analyze the situation at hand in order to make the best decision. Creative thinking (working that right brain!) and training your little’s memory are also critical aspects that play helps to develop.
Emotional:
“Kids process their emotions and new concepts through play,” Kim Wheeler Poitevien, a child therapist in Philadelphia, tells Healthline.
Play builds confidence by helping littles to learn and understand how to process their emotions which in turn helps to bolster their self esteem! It also teaches children how to manage and reduce stress. One of the biggest reasons that parents love Soccer Buddies’ classes is that it helps their child build confidence on the field. From soccer to playing with bubbles or toys, your child’s emotional health greatly benefits from play each day.
Social:
Last but definitely not least, play teaches your little how to interact with others and begins to teach them concepts of manners and rules. It also helps kids learn how to compromise - for example, instead of monopolizing the soccer ball from your teammates, learning that passing the ball can help your team score a goal!
Play is clearly vital to your child’s success so make sure your family has time for lots of games, laughs, and silliness today!
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Sources:
(2020, November 12). Importance of Play - 9 Amazing Benefits & Infographic. Parenting For Brain. Accessed: December 6 2020 https://www.parentingforbrain.com/benefits-play-learning-activities-early-childhood/
Bongiorno, L. 10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Accessed December 6 2020 https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play
Zapata, K. (2020, September 28). The Importance of Play: How Kids Learn By Having Fun. Healthline. Accessed: December 5 2020 https://www.healthline.com/health/the-importance-of-play#benefits
