Why is PLAY important?

In our current climate where so many things are uncertain and changing daily, one thing we do know is the importance of play.  Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.  It helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges. 

You will often hear educators use the terms ‘play-based learning’ or discuss the importance of play in the early years of school. Play creates opportunities for adventure, growth and learning. It supports and inspires natural curiosity, eagerness to learn and a love of communication with others. 

Here are five reasons why play is important in the early years:

1. Developing secure attachments: Through play children begin to foster
   
   secure attachments to their peers, families and educators. Strong relationships are the key to children feeling safe, secure and supported, which impacts their learning, happiness and self-esteem. Parents are a child’s first teacher and much of that teaching happens through play.
2. The effect of play on brain development: Play has intellectual and cognitive benefits for the brain and it is believed that play can in fact shape the structural development of the brain.
   
3. Development of learning skills: Through play children develop important learning and life skills such as exploring, identifying, negotiating, risk-taking and imagining.
4. Speech and language development through play: During play children are watching, listening, exploring and imitating. Even when your child is playing silently, they are learning important information and exposed to new vocabulary that they will carry with them and use later. 
5. The ability to regulate their behaviour: As children play they are learning skills such as how to concentrate on a task, how to take turns and how to share. In turn these will aid them in regulating their behaviour and emotions. 

Play leads to enhanced school adjustment and, most importantly, a love of learning. When children play and learn new things they discover that learning can be fun and go on to view learning as something enjoyable.  It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.  Above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood.

Jeannine Ucdereli
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching