Why is play important for a child?

Play is the most natural way for a child to explore and learn about him/herself and the world around him/her, acquire and improve the skills of movement, communication, relationships with others and draw conclusions about connections between things and beings.

The best way for a child to play is unstructured or free play. This play happens spontaneously and only depends on what the child is showing interest in at the moment. It enables the child to use his/her imagination and adapt the environment to him/herself - to his/her own pace, interests and the exploration modality that attracts him/her. When we think of free play, imagination and pretend games (dressing up in costumes, "as if" situations) usually come to mind. Free play also includes making hiding places out of blankets or boxes, cities out of boxes, playing music on real or imagined instruments and the like. Adults may or may not participate in this play.

Structured play is different. It has pre-agreed rules and organization, and is often run by adults (in families). Examples are board games, sports, role play, puzzles and the like.

Play changes with the child's age: the choice of toys, the type of play, the participation of peers and adults in play and the like change. Play will require more and more space as the child grows.

It is important for parents to keep in mind that, from the child's perspective, play means any research, combination, opportunities to change how things are used, to be anyone (e.g. a cook, an astronaut), at least for a short time. In that respect, from the child's perspective, play is not a planned activity that takes place at the agreed, dedicated time. The child lives play and conquers the world by playing.