Play = Child’s Work
Astronauts in outer space, dinosaurs romping, grocery store shopping sprees, and princess parties… Children live in an imaginative world without ever leaving their living room, bedroom or backyard. When children play they are thinking, taking risks, being creative and learning. Yes, learning about the world around them and valuable life skills that will help them succeed.
Imaginative play supports social, physical and cognitive or thinking skills and encourages creativity. Children are active learners and must interact with their environment to fully understand what is happening and why. That is why children need time, space and props to create their own experiences to understand the world around them
How does play support learning? As children learn about themselves and their surroundings through active participation they develop feelings of confidence, a sense of control, and develop a sense of self. They are choosing the rules and feel responsible for the outcomes. Aren’t these all skills needed in life?
Pretend play allows children to express their feelings, try new ideas, new roles in life and teaches life skills that compliment the importance of literacy development and academics.
When you are thinking about shopping for the holidays, remember imaginative play has just as many learning opportunities as the “educational” toys and choose what is best for the child in your life.
And the next time your little one slips into an imaginative world, why don’t you join him or her? Have some fun and go to work, the work of learning and child’s play.
Success in our rapidly changing world depends on being able to think creatively and quickly.
(Concepts adapted from: Spotlight on Young Children and PLAY, NAEYC 2004)