10 Ways Play Impacts Child Development

Play is an incredibly important aspect of childhood that significantly impacts a child’s development. Allowing a child to play helps them develop essential skills such as social skills, language development, and confidence just to name a few.

Read on for a list of 10 ways that play impacts child development.

1. Play Builds Social Skills

Parents hear all the time about how vital socialization is for children, and it’s true! Kids glean a tremendous amount of benefits from those baby groups and play dates.

Socializing brings about real-world scenarios where children can use their imaginations to act out past or potential events in a way they can understand. They learn through play how to cooperate, get instant feedback on their behavior (“You just hit me! I don’t want to play with you anymore!”), problem solve, and learn to consider other viewpoints.

If it’s difficult to find other children, know that just playing in general (yes, even with their parents) can be just as helpful.

You don’t have to have an amazing playroom or back yard to socialize with your child. Just be there, talk to them, read to them, and respond when they ask a question. That’s socialization. Yes even with their parents or trustworthy nanny. If you want to do more than that some great options are places like the library, playground, children’s sports, or swim lessons. or  This allows your child to observe other children doing the exact same thing they are – playing.

2. Creativity Boosted by Play

When kids are left to their own devices to play, they can create all sorts of things, and creativity is a huge part of a child’s learning and development. Leaves become food for their dolls, dirt becomes a pie, and ants are an army ready to attack any human who dares to stand near.

Children’s brains are sponges ready to soak up the world. Letting them play and explore on their own will help ignite the spark of their creative side (because there is nobody there telling them what to think or do).

To best promote creativity, give your child the freedom to play their way. In other words, instead of telling them to draw a horse, give them the markers and paper and see what happens. They might decide to make paper airplanes instead. If they want to pretend that a stick is a snake, don’t correct them. Pretend it’s a snake, too!

 

3. Playing Reduces Stress

As adults, we tend to forget that children experience stress, too. Sometimes they’re nervous about a test, a bully at school, or their looming report card.

Think about it. When your child is anxious or fearful, their fight-or-flight reflex is activated, preparing them to either fight for their life or run for the hills. It’s not preparing them to sit calmly and study their times tables.

When children are allowed to play, it helps release that extra energy and boosts their endorphins at the same time. (And if it’s outdoor play, that’s an extra dose of vitamin D!)

4. Playing Fosters Language Development

Whether they are playing by themselves, with siblings, or with friends at school, children mimic what they’ve heard in their environment. Play time helps reinforce what they’ve learned and gives them the opportunity to practice their growing vocabulary.

For young children who are just starting to talk, name the objects they’re using during play and give them a chance to respond (yes, even if it’s just babbling). For older children, don’t be afraid of using “big” words and explaining what they mean. After enough repetition, they’ll get it.

 

5. Emotional Regulation Through Play

Children who regularly engage in pretend play with their family or friends have been shown to regulate their emotions better than their peers who did not.

Emotional regulation is a very important part of growing up and can actually affect a child as an adult, too. By observing how different people react to a situation, they gain a better sense of empathy. Having control over their emotions also helps kids with problem solving. When they’re frustrated or challenged, they have the opportunity to calm down and figure out a solution on their own.

 

6. Play Helps Children Learn to Follow Rules

When children play, there’s bound to be mischief. After all, they’re still learning and testing boundaries. (And no, just because they don’t follow the rules doesn’t automatically mean they have ADHD or another diagnosis) There still have to be some rules, though.

While they’re playing, set boundaries. “You can ride your bike to the mailbox but not further” or “We cannot throw our toys when playing with our friends.”

It’s equally important to enforce these boundaries. Their incentive to learn the rules is simple. You don’t follow the rules, play time has to end for a while. They’ll learn quickly.

7. When Children Play They Learn to Cooperate

When playing with others, children start to develop their cooperation, and cooperation is one the most important social skills for children. Just like adults have to cooperate in a marriage or at work, children soon learn that if you don’t cooperate or compromise, you’re likely to make the other person angry or frustrated.

Children aim to please and want to have friends. Cooperation is an important factor in making (and keeping) friends.

 

8. Play Keeps Adults Young

Playing with your children can actually keep you young too!

As we age, our brain activity decreases and slows down. There are many types of play that can benefit adults just as much as children. Imagination games, puzzles, and brain games will all test our brains and help us stay sharp. When we play with our kids, it sparks that creativity bug in our brains too! So keep pretending to eat those mud pies!

9. Playing Can Boost a Child’s Confidence

When children are able to solve problems on their own, they gain a sense of self worth. They can set out into the world with a boost of confidence that helps them feel capable.

Try not to hover so much that you do everything for them, but also keep them safe. You may be surprised at what they’re able to do!

 

10. Play Develops Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are natural for adults, but for children who have never worked those muscles before, it’s a hard job!

Things like manipulating clay, pouring cups of water, and trying to fit shapes into holes help develop these smaller muscles.

Types of Play for Children

There are several different types of play for children and they will all look different–and that’s ok! The point of play is to let a child explore their own personalities, likes, and dislikes. At any given age you may see:

• Unoccupied: This is the type of play you will typically see in very small babies. They will move their arms and legs for no reason but it is a sign of the beginnings of play.
• Alone Play: This is baby/toddler age and is a way to explore the world around them. Children at this age are inherently curious so make sure you baby proof!
• Observant Play: Toddlers will observe older children who are playing and won’t quite join in on the fun yet. This is perfectly normal and if you could see the way their brains are inputting all of this information you would be amazed!
• Parallel Play: You may think these young children are playing together but they are actually playing alongside one another in their own little worlds. But don’t worry, this is normal and they are gaining their social skills anyway!
• Associative Play: By this time your child is likely talking up a storm and will be taking those words and using them in play. Children may not play the same games or have the same goals as other children, but it’s all about play time and learning!
• Cooperative Play: Now your child is ready to play together and make lifelong friends! Intervene if and when you need to but let your child learn and explore.

 

It’s Time to Play!

Playing is not just a frivolous activity that children are “lucky” to participate in. Ultimately, play helps children learn and develop, and regular play time prepares them for real life scenarios.

Yes, school work is important too, but for kids, play is their work! As caregivers, it’s important to provide opportunities for kids to learn and explore the best way they know how: through play.

If you ever need guidance on what play should look like, or if you aren’t sure if your child is meeting their developmental milestones, never hesitate to call Kid Care Pediatrics with questions. We are always happy to help or make an appointment.