October 10, 2024 Family Guide: Play is Learning Play Benefits the Entire Family Scientists estimate that the most rapid period of brain development happens before age five, though the brain continues to grow through adolescence, with the prefrontal cortex maturing around age 25. Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt—can be strengthened into adulthood. For children, play is crucial for physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language development. For adults, it reduces stress, boosts cognitive function, and enhances creativity. Children engage in play both at home and in school through activities like drawing, exploring, and playing with toys. Adults can incorporate play by hosting game nights, joining sports, or playing with pets. Family play fosters learning, fun, and connection, supporting brain development through varied experiences. Skills Children Learn Through Play Conflict resolution Creativity and imagination Emotional expression Fine/gross motor skills Language and literacy Problem solving and decision making Resilience/confidence Risk assessment Spatial awareness Types of Play/Examples Constructive: Block building; puzzles; Lego; sand castles; sticks & stones Fine Motor: Drawing/coloring; puzzles; pinching/pulling objects; play dough Games with Rules: board games; freeze dance; tag Gross Motor: crawling; running; jumping; dancing; riding a bicycle; throwing a ball Imaginative: Dress-up; play cooking/cleaning; reenactment; telling stories Loose Parts: Exploration of rocks, sticks, beads, paper, cotton balls Music: Musical instruments; singing; listening to music; making instruments Outdoor: Playgrounds; sandboxes; backyard exploration; parks; nature walks Risky: Climbing; balancing; fast speeds; outdoor exploration Sensory: Sensory bins; play dough; mud; water play; music Social: Story time; drop-in play centers; playground; community playtime How to Play as a Family Ways to Play Child-directed: The child leads and directs the play through activities they have chosen. Adults can support this type of play by asking questions, allowing the child to direct, and providing positive feedback. Guided: Adults guide the child through play, integrating learning outcomes into the child-directed free play. Adults are deliberate in introducing specific concepts and skill-building. Unstructured/Free: This is a type of play that is not organized or directed by adults and does not have a specific outcome. Children have the freedom to be imaginative and uninhibited. Supporting Play Adults can support a child’s play and have fun themselves by: Allowing the child to lead Asking questions Being active at the playground Dressing up Giving encouragement and positive feedback Incorporating play into daily tasks Introducing songs and games Mirroring the way the child is playing Providing interesting materials Reading together Using the imagination Play for Adolescents and Teenagers Play does not have to end as a child gets older. As school becomes more instructive and less playful, play outside of school becomes even more important. Caregivers can continue to support play by encouraging participation in activities like sports, music, art lessons, board or virtual game play, social events, outdoor activities, and more. Adolescents and teenagers should have the chance to explore what interests them. Resources Importance of Play in Early Childhood (Head Start) The Importance of Play for Adults (Psych Central) Fine Motor Skills (Cleveland Clinic) Gross Motor Skills (Cleveland Clinic) Guided Play (Famly) Sensory Play (Brightwheel) Constructive Play (Famly) Risky Play (Boston University Children’s Center)
October 4, 2024 40 Reasons Why Play is Crucial for Brain Development About Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states “Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child, and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.” Playground Equipment has compiled 40 reasons why play is crucial for brain development with quotes from various organizations, doctors, and professors. They highlight links to other resources that provide information about brain development for babies and children. Experts include: Professors Doctors American Academy of Pediatrics NAEYC … and more
12 Ways to Promote Child’s Cognitive Development About Cognitive learning is important in early childhood and scientists believe that the first five years are a particularly significant period for acquiring information because the brain is more malleable for absorbing new information. My First Five Years explains the definition of cognitive development and has come up with 12 fun ways to promote children’s cognitive development by age group. Learn More See more parenting resources at My First Five Years.
Babies’ Brain Development through Play About The most important interaction a parent can have with a child is through play, according to Harvard University’s Dr. Jack Shonkoff. In this recording, Shonkoff has suggestions for parents on how to boost their babies’ brain development. Learn More This Unicef article explains how to build babies’ brains through play and provides tips for brain development.
Thinking and Play Newborns Play is important for newborns’ cognitive development. Through play, babies learn about their parents, their world, and such concepts as movement and color. Raisingchildren.net.au, an Australian parenting website, provides tips and ideas for encouraging newborn cognitive development through play. Babies Through play, babies develop skills for thinking, understanding, communicating, remembering, and imagining. Back-and-forth interactions help babies learn about themselves and their world. Raisingchildren.net.au, an Australian parenting website, provides tips and ideas for encouraging cognitive development for babies through play. Toddlers Play is key for toddlers’ cognitive development because toddlers learn through play. Toddlers learn best when they’re interested in an activity, so it’s a good idea to let them lead play. Raisingchildren.net.au, an Australian parenting website, provides tips and ideas for encouraging cognitive development for babies through play. Pre-schoolers (3-5 years) Play is important for preschoolers’ cognitive development. They often learn best when they are allowed to lead play. Raisingchildren.net.au, an Australian parenting website, provides tips and ideas for encouraging cognitive development for babies through play.
How Play Promotes Cognitive Development About Play promotes the development of a multitude of cognitive skills. When children participate in play and have opportunities to become fully involved in what they are doing, they develop more sophisticated and complex ways of thinking. Learn More Read the Center for Inclusive Child Care’s tip sheets on how play can promote cognitive development.
Playing to Learn: Benefits of Play in Early Childhood About Play is an important part of learning during childhood and can facilitate child development in the five Early Learning Outcomes Framework domains. Learn More Head Start ECLKC’s webinar discusses how play builds critical cognitive and behavioral skills from birth to age five.
The Value of Play for Young Children About Play-based learning isn’t just about letting children do what they want. It’s about adults guiding and evaluating the play to engage them more deeply with the learning process. Learn More Learn more about the value of play-based learning and how play is essential for brain development in this piece by First Five Years.
How Play Fosters Social and Cognitive Development in Children About Play in Education, Development, and Learning (PEDAL) recorded a public lecture with psychologist Kathy Hirsch-Pasek on the importance of free and guided play as a catalyst for social and cognitive development learning. Learn More Listen to the lecture on YouTube to learn how play might offer a successful midway position in the debate on playful vs. didactic approaches to early childhood education.
Brain-Building Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children About From infancy on, play is an important component of a child’s life. For babies and toddlers, playful interactions with adults develop brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience. Through games and activities, children can practice and strengthen executive function skills that will help them throughout their lives, including learning to focus their attention, strengthening their working memory, and developing self-control. Learn More Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child has compiled a guide on brain-building through play with a series of activities for infants, toddlers, and children.
