Play is considered one of the most effective training tools for children due to its self-directed and natural process. It supports their physical, social, cognitive and emotional development, which all lay a strong foundation required for lifelong learning.
From the moment they can pick up a toy to having fun in the classroom during the early years of their education, every moment of play is something that helps to nurture them towards adulthood. Playful approaches can also be more effective when fostering a range of skills, too.
Let’s take a closer look at why play is still the most effective training tool for children nowadays.
The science behind play-based development
There’s a lot of science behind play-based development, which is helpful to know when you’re using it for the benefit of your children in their day-to-day lives.
Brain development and neuroplasticity
Play helps to stimulate the release of neurochemicals like dopamine. This is associated with pleasure and motivation, which helps the brain adapt and change.
This is something that happens rapidly in the first five years of life, making it important for building neural pathways that support memory, attention and decision-making skills.
Play deprivation is often linked to long-term negative impacts on mental health and cognitive function.
Cognitive skills and executive function
Through play, children can enjoy and engage in problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking. Activities like building blocks or solving puzzles are helpful to engage the brain in developing executive functions.
Guided play can have a positive impact on spatial awareness, early math skills and task switching from a young age.
Social and emotional growth play
Play is considered a safe space for children to be able to regulate and explore their options, developing emotional intelligence and resilience.
Children learn social skills like taking turns, sharing, negotiating and resolving conflicts.
Language and communication
When children are able to engage in play, it naturally helps them expand their communication and vocabulary skills.
Physical development
Physical development is just as important as any, which can be achieved with active play. From running and jumping to climbing, it all helps with the development of gross motor skills.
How structured play improves coordination, confidence, and focus
There are a lot of benefits to incorporating structured play for the purpose of improving coordination, confidence, and focus in a little one as they grow. Here’s how it helps each functionality.
Coordination
Activities that involve physical movement, like navigating obstacle courses, can help children to develop control over their muscles, which improves balance, coordination and agility.
With fine motor skills, tasks like working on a puzzle or drawing and threading beads onto string require precision and great hand-eye coordination.
There’s a repetitive nature to structured tasks, which helps children who are trying to master fundamental movement patterns. Examples like throwing and catching a ball.
Confidence
Structured play helps to build confidence because it directly boosts their self-esteem and self-worth in general. A sense of accomplishment when completing a task or goal gives children a sense of pride in what they’ve managed to achieve.
Positive reinforcement can come when adults lead structured play, offering praise and constructive feedback for children.
Social interactions such as participating in group activities are also essential when teaching children how to share, take turns and cooperate.
Focus
Structured play will often require the child to adhere to specific rules. This directly helps to improve their ability to concentrate, as well as regulate their behaviour.
Games with rules are useful for following directions, and with predictable and organised environments for structured play, will minimise distractions. This makes it easier for the child to stay engaged with the task at hand.
Activities that require strategy or problem-solving are great for challenging children to think critically. Focusing on solutions can help to improve and strengthen their cognitive skills, whether that’s memory or their attention span.
When expert input helps children who struggle to follow instructions or routines
There will often be times when there needs to be more than just structured play or playtime in general. Some children would benefit from a child speech therapist Sydney or an occupational therapist. Struggling with instructions or routines can often be a challenge for some, which is why expert involvement is required.
Speech therapists specifically can help to address challenges that a child is facing with language processing and comprehension.
Play is an important part of a child’s development, so it’s important to offer as much of it as you can in their early life.
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