Play

Engage, interact and just have fun!

“Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles” – Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg

I once read somewhere that “Play is universal throughout the animal kingdom”. How true. Think kittens, you’ll automatically imagine it chasing butterflies. Think of puppies, you’ll get an image of it chasing its tail. Those images will definitely put a smile on your face.

Why then when it comes to our own offspring we often stop them from playing; playing is often regarded as ‘wasting time’. More often than not, we tend to push them to do something that we believe is more productive and constructive. In short, we made them attend classes, lessons, anything as long as it is not just purely play!

Play allows a child to be in charge. Try this – sit back and just watch. Let your child be free to do whatever he wishes. See him play but don’t put restrictions. For once, refrain from telling him what to do or how to do it. You will be amazed on how well he can actually run the ‘show’! When they play, toddlers use the first hand experiences that they have in life and in most cases, you might end up learning a thing or two from them!

As an adult we often think that all toddlers do is play. Honestly speaking, there is nothing wrong about that as from a child’s point of view, each play takes on a very different approach and meaning to them. Playing is learning. They learn to play and gradually play to learn. Play is a priceless commodity to them. Never take it away from your child. It is what they do to fill up time. That’s what they do as a child - play.