What is the importance of play in early childhood?

What is the importance of play in early childhood?

Play allows a child to learn the skills of negotiation, problem solving, sharing, and working within groups. Children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace and discover their own interests during play. Unstructured play may lead to more physical movement and healthier children.

Why is play so important?

Play promotes healthy development and critical thinking skills. It reinforces memory, helps children understand cause and effect, and, according to Mendez, helps children explore the world — and their role in it. “Young children learn how things fit together through play.

What are benefits of play?

Why is Play Important for Children?

  • Play Builds Imagination and Creativity. During play, kids stretch their imaginations.
  • Play Fosters Cognitive Growth.
  • Play Delivers Emotional and Behavioural Benefits.
  • Play Improves Literacy.
  • Play Encourages Greater Independence.
  • Play Promotes Physical Fitness.

Who said play is the work of childhood?

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood,” Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers.

What is the advantage of play?

While play is crucial for a child’s development, it is also beneficial for people of all ages. Play can add joy to life, relieve stress, supercharge learning, and connect you to others and the world around you. Play can also make work more productive and pleasurable.

Why is active play important?

Young children need regular, vigorous, physical activity—active play—to develop and grow properly. Active play strengthens bones, muscles and the brain and establishes connections between all of them. A physically active lifestyle is crucial for life-long health and physical and emotional wellbeing.

What is play in early years?

What is Play in the Early Years? Play is a physical or mental activity that we do for fun, without any other purpose in mind. Play in the Early Years Foundation Stage is often used to encourage aspects of children’s learning and development while they are having fun. It can be a very social activity or one done alone.

Is play a child’s work?

Maria Montessori had this to say about play: “Play is the work of the child.” In other words, children learn and grow through play. But Montessori also observed that children enjoyed play based in reality, and were happier when invited to play with real materials that produced real results.