Benefits of Play for Children

While I was searching a toy for a present to my niece, there were so many categories of toys which make me so confused how to choose the right one to suit with her development. Then I have to make some research about the benefit of playing toys or which type of toys suit with her ages. I gain some knowledge in the benefits of play and each type of playing which I’d like to share with you. Let’s get to know as following:

Play builds the imagination
Pretending, or imaginative play, is one of the cornerstones of children's world. Kids begin demonstrating this behavior around the age of 2. Almost anything can spur the children's imagination, including everyday objects. This is because they use them as symbols, they’re learning that one thing can stand for other things. Using this new ability to pretend, they can transform a block of wood into a boat, a few pots and pans into a drum set.

Everyday objects aren't the only things that are transformed in the children's make-believe world. So are the roles they assume in their play. Imaginative play gives the children a sense of control as they interpret the dramas of everyday life and practices the rules of social behavior.

How parent can encourage imaginative play: Keep a box of everyday items that children can use during pretend play. Kid versions of adult objects, such as play telephones and plastic dishes, help facilitate role playing, and open-ended objects (toys that can have more than one use), such as colored blocks, stretch the imagination with unlimited possibilities.

Play advances physical development
Different types of physical play help develop different skills: Skipping takes balance, for example; climbing monkey bars builds strength; and sports activities involve coordination. Large motor skills, such as running, throwing, and pedaling, improve first, but fine motor skills aren't far behind. A 3-year-old carefully stacking blocks into towers is not only learning about gravity and balance but also developing hand-eye coordination. And the dexterity your child develops during play carries over into everyday life: After some practice, a 3-year-old will be able to help dress and feed himself, which gives him a sense of independence.

There's a nonphysical benefit of physical play too: It helps kids work through stress and crankiness. In fact, without adequate time for active play, your child may become grumpy or tense (not to mention possibly obese).

How parentcan promote physical play: The best way to get children moving is to set a good example. This starts at home by engaging in physical activities rather than sedentary ones such as watching TV. Indoors, you can play hide-and-seek, toss beanbags, or play some danceable music. Outdoors, build a castle in the sandbox, kick a soccer ball back and forth, ride your bike/tricycle together.

Play helps kids work through emotions
Long before children can express their feelings in words, through physical play, storytelling, art, and other activities. When children have experiences that are hurtful or hard to understand, they review those experiences again and again through play. For example, if your child is pushed or has something snatched away from him at school, he may not understand what just happened. If, the next day, you're playing with him and he aggressively pushes you, he may be trying to work out what he experienced the day before. .Through play, children can come to understand their emotions and how to use them and contain them as their society deems fit.

How parent can help: During play, children will expose little bits of behavior they need guidance. You can respond in kind, mimicking the right type of response. And try to get your child to laugh, which will help ease tension.

Play promotes social skills
As toddlers, children play side by side without obvious communication (this is called parallel play). During the preschool years, they start to interact with each other by creating complex story lines together. As they do this, they learn to negotiate, cooperate, and share (though some kids don't master the art of sharing until they're 4 to 6 years old). These play activities then become opportunities for children to interact with others and learn the societal rules that govern these interactions. For example, children will learn that sharing and taking turns are encouraged, but that stealing and kicking are not. Offering children opportunities to test and hone these skills is especially important.

How parent can boost social play: Once children settles into preschool, they'll find playmates there. But they'll need your help to extend those relationships outside of school. The easiest way to build newfound friendships is to schedule playdates or set up a play group for children and their friends. Get the ball rolling by introducing games or activities and then unobtrusively monitor the children's behavior and progress. After the playdate, you'll know which social skills children are mastering (sharing, cooperating, or being assertive, for example) and which they may need some help with.

The benefits of play for children are myriad. Play offers babies and children the opportunity to explore the world around them, build the imagination, and to develop physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills. Clearly, play for children is actually tough work!

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