Play makes children happy. If you decide to stop reading here then you have at least read the most important message. It is increasingly important to give children the time and freedom to simply play. With our busy, routine led, over scheduled lifestyles, it is easy to push playtime to the bottom of the list.
Research time and again has shown that it promotes healthy brain development by building and strengthening neuronal connections. It is also linked to healthy emotional development providing the opportunity to identify, express and make sense of their feelings by acting out scenarios in pretend play. New competencies and areas of interest can be discovered through play, as well as building healthy, active bodies. A simple game of building blocks is far more complex than what may first appear:
- That castle they made out of blocks is practise using the power of imagination
- The choice of block and where to stack it gives rise to decision making and the chance to try new things
- When they knock the blocks down, neuronal connections are being made about cause and effect
- When their playmate picks up the block they intended to use, it provides the opportunity to be assertive, share and resolve
- When the blocks fall down, they have to draw on their resilience to try again or think about where else to put it
- When they look upon their great castle and experience a feeling of pride and joy, this helps to build self confidence
Simply put, play is magic.
All kinds of play 