Play is learnt while we are still babies. It starts with sucking toes, moving arms in the air or the waving of legs. As a child develops and grows, play becomes more sophisticated: the child stars to ride a bike, climb trees and understand different games/sports. A cornerstone of good early years practise is that children learn a great deal through play. This principle applies just as much to babies and very young children as it does to slightly older ones. Play brings children closer to each other and helps them become independent. They are able to work problems out and to develop their own concentration and imagination. 

 

Children need to explore with all their senses, an exploration that frequently starts with a child getting their hands on to something interesting. We’re often told that ‘children learn by doing rather than being told’ – so resources and planning ideas need to focus on making materials available and playing games with children. Enjoyable play can arise from continuous provision through an appropriately planned learning environment, or as adult-initiated special play experiences. Parents need to focus on creating a well-resourced indoor and outdoor learning environment as it has been noticed that children return to and revisit things that were important to them that morning, the day before or the previous week. 

 

It is through play that children develop essential life skills, they learn how to interact with their peers and with adults, they learn to choose friends, they learn how to run around, play team games and sports, they learn to be creative, to adapt and develop new skills, and they learn a whole range of emotions. It has been said that children who are encouraged to express themselves freely through play are able to perform better at school.

 

Purposefully designed indoor and outdoor games can benefit children in a number of ways such as:

 

• Outdoor programmes are known beyond reasonable doubt to lead to desired behaviour change in bringing about enhanced self-esteem and a sense of purpose, a reduction in offending behaviour, social inclusion and correction of eating disorders
• Sports programmes lead to participants taking up an active sport on a regular basis
• Development trainers have a wide array of skills and techniques that help people to learn from the consequences of their actions, this helps in shaping values and attitudes  eg: towards environmental conservation, considerateness towards others and self-improvement
• Learning the skills of social interaction (making friendships)
• Experiencing life away from parents/home (learning to become independent)
• Enjoying a complete change, rest and relaxation

 

One can conclude that, every child needs to be allowed to play as they learn so many skills from playing and from falling over. Play is essential to every child’s development as good play experiences can turn a child into a well balanced grown up and prepare him/her with the essential life skills needed to live a well balanced life.