Why do we need to Play?

In this video I talk about the science behind play:

According to Play Therapy UK, play is ‘a mental leisure activity that is undertaken purely for enjoyment or amusement and has no other objective’.

It is through play that children learn to understand and interact with the world around them. Recent developments in research have led us to understand the importance of play in human evolution and development. Our view regarding play has broadened to the extent that now we recognize that children learn best through play and that it a legitimate childhood right. But above all else, play is the most cherished part of childhood.

See the following reasons why we need to encourage children to play more:

1. Play lays the foundation for literacy.
2. Play is important for a healthy brain development.
3. Play allows children to conquer their fears and express their feelings.
4. Play teaches children how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, be assertive and to resolve conflicts.
5. Play allows children to discover their own interests.
6. Play builds active and healthy bodies by increasing the physical activity of children.
7. Play helps build enduring relationship with parents.
8. Through play, communication is developed between the child and parent.
9. Play can be a tool for building self-control and to increase the child’s attention span.
10. Play is fun!

It is so important to encourage kids to play especially now we live in a world filled with busy schedules and high expectations for achievement. Sometimes, we forget to take the time and space to discover the joy and benefits play. So together, let’s take back childhood and play!

Got questions for Teacher Raissa about child development and milestones? Leave a comment below or send us a message at ogalalaexpert [at] oga-lala.com.

Teacher Raissa is a teacher by day and Crayola addict 24/7! She absolutely adores children and has been working (and playing!) with them for the last 9 years. She teaches math, is a homeroom adviser to adorable Preschoolers, and believes in learning through play.