Why Play Matters

In Steve’s words:

One of the most important things a child needs to do in order to grow to be an optimistic, loving, passionate, human being - is - they need to play!

When children play – they learn, they grow, they build connections, and they basically start creating the foundation in which all other success will be built.

If kids don’t have the opportunity to play, it is incredibly detrimental to their healthy development.

Play is the way that children learn. Play is the way that children love. Play is the way that children make sense of the world. And, play is the way that children heal.

Play is a big topic because it’s value for good is not fully appreciated or acted upon.

Play is necessary for our survival as human beings. It’s fundamental to our relationships, our development, our capability to learn, our ability to innovate, and to our success in all areas of life and even to the health of society.

Stresses on children and families have increased, and opportunities for creative, open-ended, imaginative play in homes, neighborhoods and schools have diminished. Many families do not have the resources to facilitate and maximize children’s development and learning through play.

Neuroscience studies show the critical need for play for children’s healthy development. Decreases in screen-free childhood play leads to:

• decreased children’s social-emotional skills, language, literacy and math skills, problem solving abilities, and creativity,

• increased children’s anxiety and depression and youth suicide.

There is increasing concern regarding:

• push down of academics into preschool and kindergarten,

• elimination of or reduced time for recess in many schools,

• over use of technology,

• lack of time or opportunities for childhood play.

Animation, with music, quote of Stuart Brown, MD, Founder National Institute of Play & author "Play - How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul"

“Play … is the single most significant factor in determining our success and happiness.” 

“It’s a basic biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition.”

 “It energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.”  

“When (we) pay attention to the beginning of the story, (we) can change the whole story”  “The Beginning of Life”, 2016 film

"When we treat children's play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that's to be found in the creative spirit.  It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.” Fred Rogers, American children's television host, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood 

“Community play opportunities form part of the glue, that brings families and communities together….  Play knows no racial differentiation.” 

“Best Play: What Play Provisions Should Do For Children,” National Playing Fields Association, 2000

Recipe for Play

For all ages – for the child in all of us !

#1 .  Allow time for play – pure play without distractions.

• Turn off the TV, move away from the computer.

• Bigger blocks of time & more frequent play is best.

#2.  Play with others – children, family members, friends.

• Take opportunities to spend “playful” time with each other.

• Pretend, be silly, create together.

• Listen, participate, sometimes follow, sometimes lead.

• Share in others excitement of discovery, accomplishment.

• Help others feel safe to express themselves freely.

#3.  Create an encouraging environment – a safe, supportive setting.

• Set up an environment that inspires pretend and creativity.

• Allow for “messy” creative play and physically active play.

• Set limits and rules, as necessary, to ensure safe play.

• Acknowledge creativity and individual uniqueness.

• Provide opportunities for solitary play and play with others.

#4.   Provide a wide variety of materials and toys that stimulate play.

• Provide props for play that encourages interaction with others.

• Provide opportunities where the “process” is most important.

• Provide multiple experiences to expand learning & perception.

• Provide tools for play that support all development areas & skills

Sensory-Perceptual
Physical
Social-Emotional
Cognitive
Creative
 

Ingredients of Play

Experts say ingredients of constructive positive play include:

Children learn “I can” through their play experiences.