It’s time to play!

01/02/2019 | Karri Stewart
It’s time to play! Image

The school holidays are fast approaching and as families are making preparations for how to spend this time I thought it would be a great opportunity to share some ideas around the importance of play.

Play is not just about having fun, using toys, going to cool places or having friends over.  Play is a crucial part of healthy child development.

In fact, play is so important that a child’s right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activity, is actually recognised in the United Nation’s Conventions on the Rights of the Child!

So what is this business of play all about?

So how do children play?

There are different ways that children play and the types of play children enjoy will depend on their interests and their stage of development.  (You can get specific age appropriate examples here. 

Children need time to play on their own, with others in the absence of adult involvement, but also to play with adults.

Playing with your child and delighting in them is an excellent way to strengthen your connection with your child, and to develop your child’s sense of being connected to you.

Play can be Structure or Unstructured, and children need a combination of both.

So how is play so beneficial for child development? 

But what’s that you say?  Sometimes you don’t have time to play with your child?  Sometimes you don’t even feel like playing?  (“not ANOTHER game of …..”).  I hear you.  So here are a few tips that you might find helpful when you are struggling to join in the fun….

Of course there are times when your child will benefit from (and need) your ideas and suggestions for play.  But you might be surprised to notice the difference of allowing them to direct the play.

Stuck for play ideas?  With the coming summer holidays you may wish to keep your eye on the local newspaper for listings of free events for children and families, or search online.

And of course some great options for outdoor play here.

 

All of our psychologists at Prosper Health Collective are experienced in working with children, so if you have having difficulty supporting your child in play, for whatever reason, then please call us to see how we may be able to help.