It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. Play is a child’s context for learning.Ĭhildren practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. Remember as a child how play just came naturally? Give your children time for play and see all that they are capable of when given the opportunity.ġ0. David Elkind’s The Power of Play (Da Capo, 2007 reprint) is also a great resource. Here are some NAEYC articles and books about play. There’s a lot written on children and play.
Make sure your children create outdoor memories too. Remember your own outdoor experiences of building forts, playing on the beach, sledding in the winter, or playing with other children in the neighborhood. Think about them as a science lecture with a lab. You can make sure they have as much time to play as possible during the day to promote cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development. Researchers study play’s many aspects: how children learn through play, how outdoor play impacts children’s health, the effects of screen time on play, to the need for recess in the school day.Īs parents, you are the biggest supporters of your children’s learning. There are many types of play: symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games with rules-–to name just a few. It is joyful and provides an outlet for anxiety and stress. Play helps your children grow emotionally.
It also counteracts obesity issues facing many children today. Play helps children grow strong and healthy. Literacy skills – like creating a menu for a pretend restaurant Social skills – like playing together in a pretend car wash New vocabulary – like the words they need to play with toy dinosaurs Physical abilities – like balancing blocks and running on the playground Children learn and develop:Ĭognitive skills – like math and problem solving in a pretend grocery store