THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PLAY
Children´s natural tendency to play enriches their physical, emotional, social, sensory, and intellectual development. It´s important for parents to understand the many ways children learn and grow through play.
Physical Development
Running, climbing, and pedaling tricycles are activities that increase strength and mobility of the large muscle groups. As children become more skillful at mastering their own bodies, they gain more satisfaction from physical play. Young children are very interested in trying to match the talents of older siblings and their parents. A patient parent can find great satisfaction in teaching their child to throw, catch and kick a ball. Fine motor activities such as drawing, painting, block building, and lacing beads help develop visual acuity and dexterity. These are valuable skills for daily activities such as writing, eating, and dressing.
Emotional Balance
It´s easy to see the joy expressed on your child´s face when he is happily engaged in play. During solitary play he can come to terms with some of his experiences through role playing. Ordering, sorting and categorizing toys can have a relaxing effect on children, too. Early reading experiences with parents using picture books are also a comforting form of quiet play.
The psychologist, Sigmund Freud stated that play is essential for children to help relieve feelings of worry and tension. For instance, playing a physical sport, or playing with dolls or trucks is a healthy emotional outlet for any feelings of jealousy or conflict at the arrival of a newborn sibling. Play is a relaxing activity that promotes emotional balance, releases pressure, and can help children positively redirect their emotions. Children can gain a better understanding of their own feelings and those of others through play.
Intellectual Growth
Play is an important part of brain development. When babies discover their toes and fingers, they have found their first toys. As they use their senses of touch, sight and sound, they are building pathways in the brain that form the foundation of intellectual development. When playing, children encounter many new concepts, such as quantity, size, shape, distance, time, sound, and texture. Different types of toys provide different sorts of intellectual challenges. Matching games and puzzles help sharpen memorization skills. The Geometric Sorting Board helps children identify colors and geometric shapes. PlanToys Preschool Collection has many other unique sorting and counting toys that reinforce learning with a fun, creative twist. As children play, they master new concepts, their confidence grows, and they are eager to tackle more learning experiences. Toys that provide opportunities for problem solving, creativity, and imagination all contribute to intellectual growth.
Social Maturation
In the early age stages, children enjoy playing alone, but as they mature, they transition to playing in groups. When they are capable of waiting for their turn and sharing, they are more readily able to join into play groups with other children. They gradually learn how to compromise, cooperate, agree, forgive, and make choices. In return, they can enjoy the pleasure of companionship and shared experiences. These are keys for children to develop into socially competent, well adjusted adults. When games are played that require children to follow rules, this establishes a strong basis for self discipline and honesty.
Language Enhancement
Play enhances language skills in many ways. Make-believe play is very verbal and allows children to practice using words that express their feelings and intentions. While role playing they can describe actions and differentiate between the past, present or future. Learning songs, poems, and playing question and answer games enhances listening skills, comprehension and expressive language.
