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The Benefits of play
While there are numerous benefits to play — play helps children develop cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally — there is more to play than fun and games.
"Play is important because it provides a primary foundation for learning, exploring, problem-solving, and building an understanding of the world and your role within it," says Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist and program coordinator at Providence Saint John's Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica, California.
But how do children learn by playing? Play gives children the opportunity to imitate what they see and practice skills. It allows them to express their creativity and experiment, and it teaches them how to interact and communicate with others.
The Importance of Play:
How Kids Learn by Having Fun
One of the most important aspects of a child's life is play. Why? Peekaboo, patty-cake, and playing house teach children to think creatively and interact socially.
Children of preschool age are fiercely independent. They understand the world and their place in it, and as a result, much of their play at this age is self-directed and structured.
They grow physically, discover a slew of emotional skills, and learn how to process the world through play. In a nutshell, play is critical to your child's development.
Side Effects of not playing
Play helps children develop into strong, healthy, and self-sufficient individuals. It also aids in their emotional development and reduces stress. A lack of play, on the other hand, can have negative and long-term consequences.
"Studies show that when children do not have the opportunity to play outside in nature, they are at a higher risk for attention and behavior problems," Jumaily explains. "Without proper play, children do not have the opportunity to stretch their imaginations and develop the skills required to succeed in the workplace and in life." A lack of play can also impair a person's social and emotional development."
