Child Development: The Importance of Play for Young Children
Children’s play isn’t just fun and games, it has a major role in their learning and development throughout childhood.
Here, we look at the importance of play for young children. We also outline the key types of play and how children’s play develops as they grow older.
Why is Play So Important for Young Children?
When young children play they are using their minds and bodies to:
- Explore their world and their imaginations
- Learn about relationships and caring for others
- Challenge themselves
- Develop physical abilities
- Build confidence and self understanding
- Test ideas and understanding
Types of Play
There are primarily two types of play – structured and unstructured. While both are considered important for children’s learning and development, unstructured play is considered the more important of the two.
Structured Play
This type of play is often planned and facilitated by an adult and takes a more organised form.
Examples of structured play include:
- Boardgames or cards
- Singing, yoga or dancing lessons
- Drama classes or exercises
- Sports lessons or games
- Story time led by an adult
Unstructured Play
Unstructured play can often take place spontaneously when children find objects, toys or environments that spark their interest.
As a parent, you can facilitate unstructured play. You can provides certain items or a particular setting that encourages children to explore and experiment and ‘create their own fun’.
Examples of unstructured play include:
- Imaginative games where children create a pretend / make believe world or scenario
- Creative exploration that can be musical, artistic or physical (eg. building things)
- Exploring physical spaces such as parks, gardens or playgrounds
Play Ideas for Young Children
We’ve provided some ideas below for different age groups and you can also speak with your Educator if you’re looking for ideas specific to your child’s interests.
Play Ideas to Support Development at Different Stages for Young Children
Newborns and Babies
- Music and songs – especially those that include physical actions
- Providing items that have different textures, colours, sizes and shapes
- Peekaboo – great for socialisation
- Large sturdy items your child can use to support themselves as they learn to stand and walk
Toddlers
- Dress up games with clothes and accessories for role playing
- Music for singing and dancing
- Boxes, pillows, balls, ropes and other items for physical play like jumping, climbing, throwing, catching, balancing and running
- Items such as blocks, boxes or containers for building their own creations
Pre-Schoolers
- Playdough or Lego to encourage creative play and building
- Household items to use in unstructured, imaginative play – pots, paper, containers, clothes
- Matching games and puzzles to build memory and concentration
- Furniture, boxes, old linens and pillows for building ‘forts’, ‘castles’ and other imaginary worlds.
We hope these tips will help you support your young child’s development through play!