The science of play
It’s not just fun – it’s fundamental to your child’s development
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Did you know your child’s brain develops more in the first three years of life than at any other time? That’s a lot of growing! The good news is that one of the best ways for you to support your child’s development is actually quite simple and fun for both of you.
On the surface, play may seem like it’s all about having fun, but it’s far more than that for babies and toddlers. It’s about learning and building important life skills – from problem solving to expressing ideas – and strengthening the bond between you both. After all, you are your child’s first teacher and playmate!
Play is more than just fun. It's a powerful tool for learning, exploration, and building a happy, healthy future.
Playing with children is a fundamental aspect of parenting. Simple, playful interactions with adults help infants develop sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience.
Playing is always fun, but it is also a valuable avenue for learning. Through play, children explore their environment, make decisions, develop social skills by forming relationships, develop their imagination and creativity, and foster curiosity.
Playing is a natural and enjoyable way for children to stay active, maintain good health, and be happy. During the first five years of life, children's brains develop at a faster rate than at any other time, and play helps build the brain.
Furthermore, play involves taking risks, experimenting, and pushing boundaries. Children test themselves and find out their own limits.
Play and your child’s mental health
Play is how young children learn and make sense of the world around them. While they are having fun, they are working on critical parts of their development like building motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills.
But the power of play extends beyond early learning: it also plays a crucial role in creating your child’s mental health – and yours, too! Learn why making time for playtime is both a fun and healthy thing to do.
Children who play regularly with their parents are less likely to develop anxiety, depression, aggression and sleep problems.
By providing your child with love, comfort and attention, you are laying the foundation for the development of emotional and social skills that support their mental health and future well-being.
Even short periods of play together can serve as a powerful reminder for adults of their ability to support their child and give you an opportunity to forget about work or other commitments.
Research has also shown that making time for play even protects children from the negative impacts of prolonged exposure to stress. Long periods of stressful situations can affect a child’s physical and mental health. Play and positive, supportive relationships with adults can help buffer these effects.
By recreating painful events repeatedly through imaginative play, little ones are trying to understand the impact of what has happened. For example, if your child has witnessed two adults fighting, they may recreate this conflict with their dolls.
You must give your full attention during playtime and invest in the game you are playing together. Sharing in the experience together lets your child know that they are loved and important, so smile, get involved and enjoy every moment!
