What is play and why is it important?

Play is a child's full-time job—it's how they explore and learn about the world!

Play is an important part of healthy development and helps children develop: 

• Social Skills. Children develop the ability to navigate social complexities, learn to join in group activities, and take turns with others, fostering inclusive and respectful relationships.

• Confidence and resilience. Through play, children create and explore a world they can master, conquering fears and practicing adult roles.

• Emotional development. Children learn to care for others and understand other’s perspectives. 

• Leadership, problem solving and group skills. Child led play teaches children to work in groups, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and advocate for themselves.

• Wellness and Joy. Playing fosters bonding with parents or peers, bringing happiness and a sense of love.
  

Whether playing a game of footy (structured play) or unleashing their inner Angelina Jolie with a perfect imitation of their teacher (unstructured play), each play opportunity builds on a child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical abilities. 

As children grow and develop, their play evolves, and they engage in different stages of play.

Stages of play development 

Supporting children’s play skills through the developmental stages of play 

There’s a lot that parents can do to help support their child’s play skills. 

Foster Joint Attention. Parents can develop joint attention through doing activities together such as playing a puzzle or engaging in turn taking games. Start with simple games and gradually building up to something more complex. 

Follow children’s interests. A great way to maintain their motivation and enjoyment in various games and activities.

Encourage Children to take the lead. Go with the flow of your child and allow them to decide what to do and how to do it. This will help support decision making and leadership skills. 

Support Pretend play skills. 

• Pretend play allows your child to develop problem solving, flexible thinking, and logical sequences in their thoughts. 

• Parents can model how to play with different toys for example using pretend animals and taking them for a walk to get some food. 

• Teach your child to use different objects to represent something else, for example a bottle may become a telephone or a glass bowl can become a teddy’s swimming pool. Tip: Throw some sheets over chairs and tables to create a cave or cubby house! Decorate with cushions and toys. Encourage the siblings to get involved!
  

Play often. Engage regularly in play interactions with your child so that they can learn from repetition and practice.

Support cooperative play. Arrange playdates or go to playgroups to help your child build social skills with their peers. 

If you have concerns about your child’s play skills bring them up with your Occupational Therapist. At D.O.T.S. we are here to provide you with the support and strategies to meet your child where they are at, in order to develop their play skills.