The Importance of Play
While play is fun for the child, it has a very serious and important role. Play is the child´s way of connecting with the world. It is the way children experiment, learn about the world, and learn to communicate. It’s a fun way to develop motor skills, imagination, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and mental health.
“Because we are the play things of the Gods, PLAYING is the most serious of our activities.”
— Plato
Play is the foundation of everything that comes later. There are three main functions of play:
- Play develops confidence and mastery of the world and surroundings
- Play fosters close emotional bonds with family, caregivers, and friends
- Play helps children recover from emotional distress
Children who are successful at playing both independently and cooperatively tend to develop into happier, better adjusted adults.
Play is simultaneously a source of relaxation and stimulation for the brain and body.