Playing is Important
As adults we can’t really imagine why it is so important to make time to play. Because of our hectic schedules, making time to stop and smell the roses may seem difficult for us, but the fact of the matter is, for your child - it is necessary in order to grow into a healthy (and happy) adult!
- Play helps children learn about themselves and their understandings of their expanding physical and social worlds.
- Play gives children opportunities to figure out how things work, how to get along with others and to try on new roles.
- Play stimulates and enhances creativity and imagination.
- Play provides a rich resource for language development and social competence.
- Play encourages thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Play develops perceptual-motor skills (fine and gross, such as eye-hand coordination and balance) and helps develop strength and coordination.
- Play is the integration of language, social, cognitive, imaginative and physical skills.
- Play fosters self-esteem, self-direction and values.
- Play helps children learn and practice social skills such as sharing, negotiation and cooperation.
- Play develops curiosity and increases attention span.
