The Importance of Playing With Your Kids

Play is generally defined as an enjoyable, pleasurable, or recreational activity. For an infant or toddler, play is integral to promoting healthy development. Through play, children learn academic skills like math, science, and language literacy. They also learn social skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, and cooperation. Most importantly, they learn about themselves—their personalities, their likes and dislikes, their strengths, and their interests.

Additionally, play supports the formation of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with caregivers by allowing children to experience key aspects of healthy attachment, such as unconditional love, safety, and feeling heard, seen, and valued, as well as knowing they will be comforted and supported when needed. For example, when a parent and toddler assemble a simple animal puzzle together and the child becomes frustrated, the parent’s patient reassurance and gentle touch help comfort the child and build emotional regulation skills.

Lastly, play provides opportunities to share culture, values, and beliefs in ways that feel natural and engaging. Through shared play experiences—such as storytelling, role-playing, music, and cooperative games—children begin to internalise values modelled by the adults around them. This can help build children’s sense of belonging while moulding pro-social beliefs (e.g., respect for diversity, compassion, and honesty).

Written by: Tan Poh Ching, Edited by Zariel

11/2024

References

The Benefits of Playing with your Child. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-benefits-of-playing-with-your-child