One of the many ways we support children’s development whilst in our care is by giving them the opportunity to express themselves through play.
Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning! Through play, children learn how to interact with others and reach key developmental milestones.
Children can benefit from play in a wide range of ways, including;
Physical – Active play helps kids with coordination, balance, motor skills, and spending their natural energy – encouraging healthy habits that your child can carry through to adulthood.
Emotional – During play, kids learn to cope with emotions like fear, frustration, anger and aggression. Plus, by giving kids a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, play can help build kids’ confidence and self-perception.
Social – Playing with others helps kids negotiate, collaborate, compromise, share and much more! These important early lessons help children understand others and the world around them, enabling them to recognise and respond to others’ feelings, share, show affection and build friendships.
Cognitive – Children learn to think, read, remember, reason and pay attention through play. Problem solving, puzzles and strategy-based games help reinforce critical thinking skills.
Creative – By allowing imaginations to run wild during play, kids create new worlds, form unique ideas and much more! Whether it’s a made-up game or a creative arts & crafts activity, play provides children the freedom to explore new possibilities and think outside the box.
Communication – Play lets kids exchange thoughts, information, and messages. Creating good communicators — that’s the genius of play!