The everlasting Power of Play
How to celebrate the first ever International Day of Play
Tomorrow is the inaugural ‘International Day of Play and to celebrate, I wanted to revisit just why play is so important - not just to our children, but why it’s important to us too.
The event has been coordinated by Lego Group and includes a whole host of organisations including Save the Children, Hasbro and Mattel. This coordinated Child and Youth Advisory Board surveyed 10,000 children and youths from around the world, with the main goal of making more space, time and opportunities for play.
Together, we will champion all children and young people to play and strive for a world where every child can learn, develop, and create friendships through play.
The inaugural International Day of Play is a fantastic way to become more mindful of what play looks like for your family. Small, intentional steps towards making play a priority is much more beneficial for your children than having one big blow out day, followed by nothing.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Spend 10 focused minutes with your child each day, playing a game of their choice
Include independent play in your daily schedule
Review your home / garden - does your child have a dedicated space where they can play?
Design an invitation to play with toys, loose parts and household items to spark imagination
Visit the local park after school instead of going straight home
Keep reading to uncover the benefits of play, alongside some ideas on how to play with your child.
Why is play so important?
‘I see play as one of the core components for survival and development for a human being from birth till they die. Play, even in my adult life, is what keeps me going. It’s what keeps me happy, and motivated, and stimulated, and creative.’
Maniza Ntekim, UNICEF’s Regional Advisor for East and Southern Africa, Speaking at the Fairy Dust Teaching Conference, 2021
Play is important for several reasons
Play is an integral part of childhood but is is also often seen as a luxury or an unnecessary activity used simply as a method to keep children entertained when there isn’t anything more important to do.
However, the importance of play cannot be overstated. Play has numerous benefits, both physical and cognitive, that are essential for children’s development and well-being.
Here are some of the key benefits of play:
Child Development - via helping to foster important skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.
Brain Development - Play stimulates the brain and helps children develop cognitive, emotional, and motor skills.
Stress Relief - Play helps children to relieve stress, manage emotions, and have fun.
Physical Health - since play is so hands-on, it helps children develop coordination and fine motor skills.
Imagination and Creativity - true independent play helps children to use their imagination, be creative, and explore different scenarios and possibilities.
Building Relationships - From negotiating who has the toy first to working collaboratively, play is a great way to help children develop relationships and build social skills.
Emotional Wellbeing - when play is chosen by the child, it helps boost wellbeing. Just like hobbies for adults, play is about doing something that will be fulfilling.
Preparation for Life - life isn’t smooth sailing all the time, and neither is play! There are so many opportunities to negotiate, problem solve and resolve conflicts during play.
Ultimately, play is an essential part of childhood and should not be seen as a luxury or an unnecessary activity. By providing children with opportunities to play, we can help them develop into happy, healthy, and well-rounded individuals.
With that being said, as adults, we need to respect that every child plays differently. Play doesn’t have to mean sitting down with expensive Montessori inspired toys. Whilst some children love to sit quietly and create an intricate small world scene, others prefer to kick around a ball or dance. Play means something different to all of us. Much like as adults, we don’t all love the same hobbies
‘Play coming from the child itself. It’s not you telling the children how to play. This is very misunderstood by many, that we start using play as an academic teaching. This is not how it is. The children know how to play because a play is an imitation of how they understand life, and where each of the child will show you where it is in its own development.’
Helle Heckman, Danish Waldorf Teacher and founder of Slow Parenting, Speaking at the 2021 Fairy Dust Teaching Conference.
So What counts as play?
Play doesn’t have to look a certain way in order for it to be meaningful.
You know, not everybody likes a contact activity like soccer. Not everyone likes a team sport. You know, some kids want to get dirty and play in the mud. Others don’t. Some people, children, love to play teacher and student, where others might want to be in the block room and play alone. As we all know, children, if you observe them play, you see that they all enjoy playing. It’s just they like to play what they like to play.
Pat Rumbaugh, Co Founder of Let’s Play America - Fairy Dust Teaching Conference 2021
The concept of play is an important and widely researched topic in child development. One notable researcher in this field is Dr. Peter Gray, who has extensively studied the role of play in children’s development. According to Dr. Gray, play is defined as an activity that is freely chosen and self-directed, and is conducted for its own sake, rather than for some external goal or reward.
Uncovering your child’s play personality
Uncovering your child’s play personality can help you better understand their unique needs and preferences, and also provide opportunities for growth and learning. Here are some steps you can take to uncover your child’s play personality:
Observe their play: watch your child play, both alone and with others. Pay attention to the toys, games, and activities they choose, as well as how they play with them.
Ask questions: Ask your child about their play, what they like and dislike, and what they are trying to achieve through play. Encourage them to talk about their play experiences and feelings. To avoid interrupting the flow of play, it is often better to do this after they have finished playing. For example, ‘I notice you were working so hard to build a bridge. Can you tell me more about your structure?’
Provide a variety of play experiences: If you’re not too sure what your child’s play personality is, offer a range of play experiences, such as outdoor play, arts and crafts, imaginative play, and physical play. Observe which ones your child enjoys the most and which they may struggle with.
Encourage exploration and experimentation: Encourage your child to explore their surroundings, try new things, and be creative. This can help you understand their interests and what they are drawn to.
Reflect on patterns: Over time, look for patterns in your child’s play preferences and habits. This can give you insights into their play personality.
Remember, every child is unique, and their play personality may change as they grow and develop.
Observation really leads to an understanding of how children learn. You can see what their interests are and also ways you can extend their knowledge onto the next level.
Setting time aside each week to observe your child at play will also stop you from jumping in and taking over ideas.
Why is it important to play with your children?
I am a big believer in the importance of self-directed, independent play, however play is also one of the major ways parents can connect to their children - especially in the early and middle years of childhood. Because play is a vital aspect of childhood and plays a significant role in children’s development and well-being. It is therefore so important to join in with your child’s play from time-to-time and be an active part of their play experiences.
Benefits of playing together include:
Helping you to develop a strong bond with your child by showing an interest in their interests
Allowing you to observe and understand your child’s development. You can then provide support and guidance to your child to reach their full potential. For example, if you notice your child struggling with hand-eye coordination, you can encourage activities that help improve this skill.
Teaching valuable life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. For example, good sportsmanship and how to handle winning and losing gracefully.
Taking part in play with their child promotes a positive self-esteem and sense of worth. When you join in with your child’s play, you are sending the message that your child’s interests and enjoyment are important to them.
Playing together provides an opportunity for you to model positive behaviours and attitudes such as cooperation, empathy, and kindness.
What are the best ways to join in with play?
Offering play choices - giving children options for play activities can show that their opinions and preferences are valued.
Exploring your child’s interests with them - learn about and engage in the activities that your child is interested in, whether it be a favourite toy, game, or hobby.
Encouraging imaginative play - allowing children to engage in imaginative play, such as make-believe and role-playing, can foster their creativity.
Showing interest - asking questions and actively participating in the play .
Being present - putting aside distractions and being fully present in the play experience can help build stronger connections with children.
Journal Prompts
What are your child’s favourite play activities?
How does your child play with others and what social skills do they show?
What is your child’s play style - have you noticed it change over time?
How does your child express their emotions through play?
What are your child’s strengths and weaknesses in play?
What are the things your child enjoys exploring and discovering through play?
How does your child’s play reflect their current developmental stage?
How does your child’s play change in different environments and what does it tell you about their preferences and needs?