The Importance of Play

Today the 5^th August 2020 is National Play Day and because of this I thought it would be good to write about the benefits of play – for all ages.

 

“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

 George Bernard Shaw

 

In our hectic modern lives filled with technology, play has taken a back seat to screens and other commitments. Because of this children and adults are missing out on many benefits associated with play. Early child development is taking a hit and physical, social and emotional development is suffering.

 

Here are some of the benefits of play:

• ·        It helps physical development – fine and gross motor skills
• ·        Play is essential for healthy brain development
• ·        It can help develop social and emotional skills – can enhance communication and cooperation
• ·        Can make you feel happy and can reduce stress
• ·        Helps nurture imagination and creativity
• ·        Can help you learn about your environment, taking care of it and caring for other people.
• ·        Can be a way to deal with difficult emotions and trauma.
• ·        It can stimulate the mind
• ·        It can improve relationships
• ·        Can reduce obesity and associated illnesses

 

Play can take many different forms from imaginary play, to throwing a frisbee on the beach or playing charades with friends. There is no right or wrong way to play and there doesn’t have to be a point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourselves.

 

Play is crucial for child development but also for adults. Benefits such as stress relief, learning and connecting with others are all involved in play.

 

 Play has been lost for many somewhere between childhood and adulthood. I often observe pre-teens torn between wanting to be grown up and keeping up with the trends among peers and them wanting to hold onto to play and enjoy the pure joy of it. Peer pressure and technology definitely play a role in this but also, I believe as a society we frown upon older children playing and expect them to behave ‘like adults’. LET THEM PLAY!!!!!!

 

Incorporating more fun and play into your daily life can improve the quality of life, mood and family relationships. Make time to turn off all screens, leave your worries and to-do lists and play. Carve out time for children to be away from screens – however much they may resist at first, I believe once they get involved in play, they will benefit from the time and prefer it to being sat behind a screen.

 

Don't let play disappear, there is no age limit on play, so play with your children more, play with your friends and family and see the benefits.