Why play is important

The importance of play

Play is so important in your child’s learning and development. When your child plays, it gives her lots of different ways and times to learn and grow.

Play also helps your child:

• build confidence
• feel loved, happy and safe
• develop social skills, language and communication
• learn about caring for others and the environment
• develop physical skills.

Your child will love playing with you, but sometimes she might prefer to play by herself. She might just want you to give her ideas and let her know how her play and games are going. And sometimes she might want to play with other children.  Watch your child and follow her lead!

Different types of play

Unstructured, free play is the best type of play for young children.

This is play that just happens, depending on what takes your child’s interest at the time. Free play isn’t planned and lets your child use his imagination and move at his own pace.

Examples of unstructured play might be:

• creative play alone or with others, including artistic or musical games
• imaginative games – for example, making cubby houses with boxes or blankets, dressing up or playing make-believe
• exploring new or favourite play spaces like cupboards, backyards and so on.

You can support your child’s unstructured play by making play materials available (these do not have to cost anything!).  Sometimes all you’ll need to do is point your child the jumble of toys on the floor, or to the table with crayons and paper. Sometimes you might make a few suggestions--for example, ‘How about we play pretend animals? What do you want to pretend to be today?’

Structured play is different. It’s more organised and happens at a fixed time or in a set space. It’s often led by a grown-up or is part of fun family times, especially if the whole family is staying at home together.

Examples of structured play include:

• family board games or card games
• a home project such as painting on a big piece of paper together
• backyard fun with balls or an obstacle course
• storytelling groups for toddlers and preschoolers at the local library
• dance, music or drama classes for children of all ages

How play develops with your child

As your child grows, the way he plays will change.   Here are ideas for each age from babies through preschool. 

Babies and toddlers: play ideas to encourage development

For babies, the best toy is you. Just looking at your face and hearing your voice is play for your new baby, especially if you’re smiling.

You might like to try the following play ideas and activities with your little one:

• Music, songs, gentle tapping on your baby’s tummy while you sing, or bells: these activities develop hearing and movement.
• Peekaboo: this is great for your baby’s social and emotional development.
• Gentle tickles, or objects with different textures, like feathers, mud, metal or foam: these develop the sense of touch.
• Objects of different sizes, colours and shapes: these can encourage your child to reach and grasp.
• Sturdy furniture, balls, toys or boxes: these can get your child crawling, standing and walking.

Regular tummy time and floor play are very important. Tummy time helps your baby develop muscle strength and control. It also lets your baby see and experience the world from a different perspective.Toddlers: play ideas to encourage development

Here are some ideas your toddler might enjoy:

• Big and light things like cardboard boxes, buckets or blow-up balls can encourage your child to run, build, push or drag.
• Chalk, rope, music or containers can encourage jumping, kicking, stomping, stepping and running.
• Hoops, boxes, or pillows are good for climbing on, balancing, twisting, swaying or rolling.
• Dress-up games with scarves, hats and so on are good for imagination and creativity.
• If you have outdoor space, hills, tunnels, or cozy nooks can encourage physical activities like crawling and exploring.

If you put on some favourite music while your toddler plays, she can also experiment with different sounds and rhythms. You might also like to sing, dance and clap along to music with your child.

Preschoolers: play ideas to encourage development

Here are some ideas to get your preschooler’s mind and body going:

• Old milk containers, wooden spoons, empty pot plant containers, sticks, scrunched-up paper, plastic buckets, saucepans and old clothes are great for imaginative, unstructured play. 
• Simple jigsaw puzzles and matching games help improve your child’s memory and concentration.
• Crayons, scissors, paper, paste or glue, old magazines or advertising flyers--all of these encourage imagination and creativity.  
• Home-made playdough or clay help your child develop fine motor skills.
• Favourite music or pots and pans are great for a dance concert or to make up music.
• Balls can encourage kicking, throwing or rolling.

If your child doesn’t want to play

There might be times when your child doesn’t want to play – for example, he could be tired or bored by doing the same activity for too long, or he could be reacting to stress at home or in your community. This is  usually nothing to worry about.

However, consider speaking with a health professional or your child’s educator if:

• your baby avoids interactive play like peekaboo;
• your toddler has interest in only one toy or only does one thing with a toy – for example, is only interested in spinning the wheels of a toy car, over and over, instead of driving it around the room like other children the same age;
• your preschooler has no interest in playing with other children, or is never interested in playing pretend games.  But keep in mind that some children are shy or slow to warm up, and children have different play interests.