Unlocking the Power of Play: The Importance of Play is a series of articles from The Hechinger Report and Mind/Shift that explores the important role that play plays in children’s lives, and the movement to reintroduce more playful activities into children’s daily lives.
What does daycare do for children?
Children have an innate need to engage in playful activities, and when adults make sure that children have time and freedom to play, they learn about themselves and their world. Freely chosen play improves children’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being and development.
When kids engage in creative, open-ended play with toys like blocks, they are able to imagine, pretend and create. This type of play develops Childcare centre in Woodford creativity, confidence and emotional flexibility, as well as fostering perceptual and critical thinking skills.
During fantasy play, kids can practice stepping into the shoes of others and experiencing other people’s emotions. This teaches empathy, which is necessary for healthy development and social relationships.
While kids are at play, they also build motor skills by using their hands to manipulate and move objects, as well as exploring the spatial environment around them. This is why it’s so important that kids have the opportunity to play outside, on a playground or in an indoor gym.
As we head into a new year, it’s more important than ever to make sure that kids have the opportunity to be active through play. It’s a natural, healthy part of life that fosters social and emotional growth, builds problem-solving skills and encourages physical fitness.