Think about the action of giving someone a high five. It seems like a simple action for a lot of people, but it takes a number of skills to do successfully; you need to swing your arm, anticipate where your hands will connect, and modulate the amount of force. You need to take social cues from the other person and make sure it is ok to give a high five and if they are ready for one. It just so happens these are also all skills we learn from playing!
Play is an important aspect of human development and can have many benefits for children and adults. Some of the benefits of play include:
- Physical development: Children develop their gross and fine motor skills, balance, and coordination.
- Cognitive development: Children learn problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and increase their attention span.
- Emotional development: Children practice expressing and managing their emotions, coping with stress, and developing social skills.
- Social development: Children learn to interact with others, share, and take turns.
- Creativity: Provides an opportunity to use your imagination and curiosity.
- Stress relief: Can be a way to relax, de-stress, and unwind.
- Bonding: Allows for families and friends to bond and spend quality time together.
- Fun: Play can be a source of enjoyment and fun for people of all ages.
Another important area play helps develop is Executive Function, a set of cognitive skills that help people plan, focus, remember instructions, and manage their time and resources effectively. These skills are linked to academic and career success, as well as managing daily tasks and responsibilities. Executive function skills include:
- Problem-solving: Solve problems, make decisions, and plan ahead. For example, when playing with building blocks, you may need to figure out how to stack the blocks to create a stable structure.
- Self-regulation: Manage emotions, focus attention, and control impulses. For example, when playing a board game, you may need to take turns and follow rules.
- Planning and organization: Organize thoughts, set goals, and make a plan to achieve those goals. For example, when playing with dolls, you may need to decide what activities their dolls will do and plan out the steps to make it happen.
Overall, play is an important part of a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle. It can provide numerous physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and creative benefits!
Recommended Reading
5 Proven Benefits of Play – NPR
The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children by David Elkind
Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown
The Case for Make-Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World by Susan Linn
(As an Amazon Associate, the Duluth Children’s Museum may earn from qualifying purchases associated with these links. Funds help support play and learning for all children!)