Every parent knows how content and amused their little ones are while they’re playing, but play isn’t only a matter of fun. It’s actually serious business. According to the experts at Uptown Jungle Henderson, it’s a critical factor in the development of a young body and mind as an inextricable part of childhood. So, before you dismiss hopscotch and hide and seek as child’s play, let’s delve deeper into this aspect of your child’s life and understand its many benefits.
Physical advantages
It’s essential for children to explore the limits of what they can and can’t do physically. This makes them gain better control of their bodies and fine-tunes their emerging skills. When they engage in active play, they practice important physical abilities, like balance, coordination, and fine motor skills. Running, jumping, and climbing also help them expend their pent-up energy, which stimulates a good night’s sleep, reduces energy build-up, and minimizes the instances of acting out. Finally, exercise helps maintain an optimal weight by promoting a healthy appetite.
Cognitive development
While they play, children acquire the ability to focus on the task at hand. Games often involve problem-solving and looking at things from different angles, so they strengthen your child’s mind and push them over the next developmental threshold.
Depending on the child’s age and type of activity they engage in, the play could also improve their memory, make them more confident with numbers and colors, help them grasp concepts like big, small, long, and short, etc. If it’s a storytelling activity or a puppet show, for example, they can practice anticipating what happens next and hone their thinking skills.
Emotional well-being
It’s important to ensure safety as kids explore the strengths and weaknesses of their growing bodies. You should gently encourage them if they come up with an obstacle so that they never feel threatened or like they’re out of their depth. The activities they do should be on the fine line between too easy, and therefore boring, and too hard, which can cause frustration and put the child off trying.
Competitive games teach the child to handle delayed gratification, stay committed to a goal, and remain respectful of their opponents. Learning how to both win and lose gracefully is a significant part of emotional growth. Through play, the child learns how to regulate their emotional reactions and curb outbursts of negativity and impatience.
Social skills
Children often need to cooperate and negotiate during play. Developing the ability to work as part of a team is highly beneficial for their future. Sometimes, games also require team members to help each other, so children relinquish their selfishness and discover the joy of caring for others. In addition, they gain experience resolving disputes on their own (without adult interference).
Kids bond overplay, get to know different characters, and make new friends. Building up confidence in interacting with peers forms a solid foundation for future relationships.
Final thoughts
Considering the significance of play in a child’s life, think again before you cut playtime short and send your kid to their room to do homework! Jokes aside, the impulse to play is a universal human need that should be honored and built up as much as possible. Arrange playdates with schoolmates, take your little one to the park and kids’ play venues, and play together as a family as often as you can. Remember, anything can be turned into a play, even housework or a trip to the supermarket!
It’ll spark your child’s curiosity, stimulate their imagination, grow their muscles and bones, and help them thrive.
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