Why Play Matters | Childhood Development
Your kid always watch mobile, TV and play video games?
Parents need to encourage kids to go out and play on the ground. It’s scientifically proven that playing outdoors helps kids overall development.
We all remember how much we have enjoyed playing outside when we were kids. We have made the most of recess in school. Even if we played all day it was never enough.
But today parents are worried about their child playing outside and limited the chances of kids playing outside due to over-programming them with structured activities and allowing them too much screen time.
The play is not an option, it is a necessity of each child. It is important for healthy brain development. Research shows that 75% of brain development happens after birth. Play helps with that development by stimulating the brain through the formation of connections between nerve cells. Obesity is perhaps the most visible symptom of the lack of such play, but literally, dozens of studies from around the world show regular time outdoors has more benefits.
There should be a clean break after school. Schools are draining kids nowadays due to their schedules and syllabus. Kids need to blow off steam and get some fresh air or just spend time what they wanted to do all day.
Do you remember what it feels like to squish mud through your toes and standing on the edge of the mud pit, looking in with hesitation, repulsion, wonder and awe? Today the world is obsessed with side effects of cleanliness and that is a contributor to increased levels of childhood illness, low immunity or allergies. Dirt and water, these two are very simple and basic ingredients have and continue to be the source of so much creativity, joy, sensory fun and immune booster for children.
Did you climb trees when you were a child? When children start engaging in risky play when they are young they learn to evaluate risk and play safely. For example – your child may wonder, “ where should my right foot go next? How will I get down from the top? This kind of flexible thinking can help on the playground and in the classroom.
Children really discover and explore the natural world, types of animals, insects come according to a season. Play helps them to take care of themselves like drinking water, wearing a hat in summer, which objects are dangerous and not to be touched.
Play gives them the space to run, climb, roll, jump, hide and interact with other kids to improve social and life skills. As children play with their own friends and peers they solve their problems, respect the rules and negotiate. It gives them their own space and freedom.
I am not saying that we should not give importance to education, it is equally important.We need to create a balance between education and play in a child’s life.
Your child will continue to play throughout childhood and you may be surprised at the number of skills they develop such as:
- Learning to exercise problem-solving skills
- Showing an ability to think flexibly
- Practising processing their emotions
- Facing their fears
- Trying new things without fear of mistake
- Build confidence
- Develop social skills, language and communication
- Learn about caring for others and the environment
- Develop physical skills.
Play a very important role to encourage child for exploration and learning. You don’t have to spend money on expensive activities or take them to special playground. There are no specific activities, no fixed equipment; there are tree branches and muddy slopes. The spaces themselves are inspiring.
Children set their own challenges, assess their own risks, take their own responsibility, have their own adventures, and learn from them. And what they learn can’t be taught. While playing with other kids they become a good team player which is very important is the corporate world nowadays.
So Let’s Play. Happy Holi. Want to Learn More? Download E-Brochure
