When I first started researching preschools for our eldest daughter, I was recommended one in our area by several people. At my initial visit, I walked into the preschool room and there was…silence. This seemed completely unnatural to me for a room full of four-year-olds. Why were they not playing? One of the educators explained they were doing an exercise to help the children prepare for “big school” the following year. She followed it up by saying most of them would be reading by the time they left preschool. On the inside I was shouting, “What?!” but on the outside, I just smiled and nodded.
I didn’t know much about learning and development at that point. However, there was something about the idea of my four-year-old learning to read at preschool that didn’t sit well with me. No doubt this would appeal to some parents. Yet, I have always felt children should be allowed to play and enjoy their early years with a sense of carefree abandon.
In contrast, when I visited the preschool my daughter now attends, the atmosphere was joyful. Children were outside in the sunshine, playing in the mud river and pumping water into the huge sandpit. Some were running around in dress-ups and others were chasing one another beneath the beautiful gum trees. They were dirty and loud and it was so refreshing.
That was when I discovered the difference between traditional and play-based learning. Since then, I have come across countless articles and literature in support of the vital role of play in the lives of young children. Almost every parenting book I have read (and if you follow this blog you will know I have read a few!) suggests play is one of the most important aspects in raising a child.
In his book, How Children Thrive, Mark Bertin, MD says, “Despite debate about possible short-term academic gain, over time children graduating from developmentally oriented preschools (that emphasise play) seem to outperform kids from programs that focus on academics such as reading and math.” He suggests that our decisions around play may have the largest immediate effect on the cognitive development of our children.
The role of play has been recognised to be so important, it is written into the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 31 states it is “the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”
What are the benefits of play?
A publication in the Pediatrics journal describes the many benefits of play. The article outlines how play is important for brain development and how it builds physical, cognitive and emotional strength. It encourages creativity and imagination. Play teaches children how to interact with the world around them. It teaches social and communication skills – working in groups, sharing, negotiating, resolving conflicts and self-advocacy skills. It builds confidence and resilience. If you are concerned about academics, play has been shown to prepare children for a school setting and build a strong foundation for learning.
What activities are best?
I think it is a consequence of our modern society that child’s play has been lost in a wave of scheduled activities, screen time, too many toys and workbooks for learning their ABCs. These things all have their place but if they become a priority, precious playtime gets lost along with so many of the benefits previously mentioned.
All I have to do is watch my children on an unscheduled morning to know what comes naturally to them. When given the opportunity, imagination and pretend games can go on for long periods. A game of “Mums and Dads” is an interesting insight into the way they perceive family life. It is also rather confronting to see all my flaws exposed as one of my children take on the role of “Mummy Roxanne”!
The same goes for time out in nature, playing with open-ended toys, games that encourage movement such as playing chase, “tag” or climbing things, arts and crafts, dress-ups – the list is endless. Ideally, the play is child-driven, spontaneous and most of all it is FUN for your child.
How can you encourage play?
In a perfect world, my children would amuse themselves while I continue with my day and check-in every so often. Alas, we do not live in a perfect world. While the aim is for them to initiate their own games, it is often up to me to set the stage.
One of the biggest obstacles affecting play in the lives of our children is overscheduling. It is all too easy getting caught up in the many activities on offer, playgroups and trips to the shops or the library. At the same time, we are trying to fit all of this around school, family outings and other unavoidable demands of family life. If we’re not careful, our kids can be so busy they don’t have time for the things that really matter, like play. Children need space in their daily lives to be still, to be bored (yes, bored!) and to enjoy the freedom of letting their imaginations run wild.
I love the idea of an “invitation to play”. This concept is about offering certain materials or scenarios and allowing your child to explore and expand on what you have provided. It can be something as simple as a cardboard box, some masking tape and other bits of recycling. Alternatively, you might spend some time creating a small world for them to explore or setting up playdough with dough stamps or cutters. You can usually make do with items you already have at home and your kids will almost always be delighted with it. If you are looking for inspiration, Instagram has a wealth of accounts dedicated to “invitations to play”.
Another great way of keeping kids engaged in play is rotating toys. I’m in the habit of rotating toys in our play space on a fortnightly basis. This has so many benefits. It extends the life-cycle of toys because the girls don’t have a chance to get bored with things. It also keeps them engaged with the play space, they don’t get overwhelmed by the number of toys around them and I buy less. I’ve also noticed that simply moving things around stimulates play. When my kids see their things from a different perspective they find new ways to play with items.
I’ve really warmed to the concept of open-ended toys rather than a collection of toys that “do things”. When a toy performs the play on behalf of the child, it limits imagination and stunts its own longevity. For a toy to be truly open-ended, it should have multiple uses and limitless possibilities, such as a set of blocks or peg dolls. The simpler the item, the better, as it allows for greater originality and creativity on the part of the child.
Play is such a beautiful part of childhood. Watching children play, listening to their giggles and seeing the delight on their faces when they are fully engaged in a game – it is childhood unplugged and pure. It can be a struggle to stand against the pressures of our society and protect our children’s precious few years of youth. However, the perceived benefits far outweigh the effort it takes to facilitate a life centred around play.
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
Play ideas for young kids that are simple and cheap
Parenting tips for toddlers | Lessons I’ve learned the hard way