Play is an integral part of a child’s early learning and development. It is not just a fun way for children to pass time, but essential for their cognitive, emotional, social and physical development. In our busy worlds, it is easy to forget the growth and development that occurs when children simply ‘just’ play; as they learn, explore and make sense of the world around them. As educators, we are using this knowledge to observe and support children’s learning through a play-based curriculum.

As Early Childhood Education has evolved, so has the practice that you see. We have moved away from large, extended group times and continual structured experiences to more time immersed in uninterrupted play and spontaneous experiences. Within this, educators engage with children in their play, allowing children to lead and scaffolding deeper thinking through strategies such as challenging, questioning and embedding literacy and numeracy skills.

In children’s play, we are demonstrating deep listening and building strong relationships. While this is happening, we are building and strengthening connections in their developing brains and laying the foundation for lifelong health, learning and resilience.

So, what important role does play have in children’s development?

• Stimulating Cognitive Development

Play provides the opportunity for children to continually ‘exercise’ their brain and develop essential cognitive skills. Each time children engage in play such as building with blocks or dramatic play such doctors and babies, they are developing their problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity.

Play enables children with the opportunity to overcome challenges or learn to negotiate rules. Their imagination and creativity are used as they create characters and stories in either real-world scenarios or ones that they have invented. Their foundation for academic success is being laid as play helps memory and concentration.

• Fostering Emotional Development

Learning about and feeling different emotions is complex for growing children. Through their play, children can explore and understand different feelings they or others may be having. 

Play provides a safe and supportive environment for children to experience and manage a wide range of emotions such as frustration in the block tower falling or joy from catching a ball. Children learn self-regulation, build their confidence and independence and empathy towards others. 

Self-regulation develops through practice in dealing with conflict, frustration and disappointment when we disagree with our peers or need to wait for our turn. 

Children’s sense of self-worth and accomplishment builds confidence and independence as they master new skills and learn empathy through their developing consideration of other people’s perspectives.

• Developing Social Skills

Positive relationships develop through social interaction. When playing with others, children learn cooperation, communication and form connections. 

Group play creates opportunities for children to share, take turns and support others while working towards common goals. Disagreements occur naturally through play whether over resources or rules. In these situations, children practice resolving such conflicts, negotiating and reaching compromise with others. Children are expressing their thoughts, needs and desires while also listening to others.

• Enhancing Physical Development

When children are active in play, their muscles are strengthened, coordination is improved, and overall physical health is supported. 

Gross motor skills in experiences such as running or jumping are essential for coordination and control of their body, they also lay the foundation for the development of later skills such as writing and riding. Active play also contributes towards the development of fine motor skills. 

Manipulating small objects lays the foundation for more complex skills such as dressing and eating. Active play encourages healthy habits such as physical activity and enjoyment for the outdoors which contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

• Supporting Language Development

When children are playing, they are developing their language either verbally or with self-talk. Play enables children to expand their vocabulary, story tell and develop communication for social skills. Play can expose new words and phrases, enriching their vocabulary. 

Experimentation with language can occur when children create stories in play, contributing towards later skills such as writing, reading and comprehension. Social communication occurs as children take turns, negotiate roles and learn how to use positive language in social settings.  

• Building Resilience

Play provides children with an outlet for stress in times that can be overwhelming. Play is fun and relaxing, it provides a release for emotions in a positive way that contributes towards lowering stress and the feeling of anxiety. 

Resilience naturally occurs as children overcome challenges and setbacks during their play. They learn the essential life skills of how to persevere and simply try again.

• Promoting a Love of Lifelong Learning

A love of learning comes when learning is fun and something that children enjoy doing. Play provides an environment for curiosity which is the foundation to wanting to learn more through exploring new ideas, concepts and experiences by asking questions, experimenting and discovering.

Play self-directs learning as children guide their own learning and new ideas giving them a sense of autonomy and allowing them to value learning.

As you can see, for our children there is so much value and importance in play. Play is not only fun but essential for developing crucial life skills. It is important that we prioritise and participate in play so that children are allowed the freedom to explore, imagine, create and learn in a safe and supportive environment.