Play shouldn’t always be seen as an extracurricular, optional activity, but rather an essential tool in a child’s development. Research shows that outdoor free play gives kids many valuable benefits, including the development of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.
Benefits of Active Play
All children should be encouraged to participate in regular active play everyday. Regular active play helps children to develop a lifelong habit of daily exercise and life skills such as:
- -communication and social skills
- -an understanding of social rules
- -friendships
- -a sense of 'give and take'
- -patience and perseverance
- -an understanding of others
- -teamwork and a sense of belonging.
Keiran and Javier decided to play with the coloured balls.
Andrei fell while playing with the jumping sack. However, he laughed about it and continued playing.
Keiran having fun time playing with the over arm throw.
See Ching is playing with the bubbles.
Andrei and See Ching are playing with bubbles by the pool to excite the K1 children.
Lucas, Keiran and Enzo are having fun!
One for all, all for one!
Keiran had the ball bounced back on him and he laughed at it.
Let's all have fun!
Your role when playing with your child
It's helpful to allow your child to lead during play. Let your child determine what to do and how to do it within the limits of safety and time constraints. This lets the child try out his/her judgment and allows him/her to show you what the he/she is delighted in.
Join in your child's play, but only when invited to do so. As he/she lets you into his/her world of make-believe, give the child complete control. In real life, you may be in charge, but this is his/her world.
The attention you show your child when you play together is key to building his/her self-esteem. For example, when you pretend along with your child, you're showing him/her that you accept his/her make-believe world and that it is fun and important to you, too. Wish you a great time playing with your child!
