Play is a crucial part of development, contributing to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children, and providing an opportunity for parents and caregivers to engage with children. But in spite of the well-known benefits of free play, it’s often crowded out by screen time, a heavier focus on academics and other factors reducing the time kids have to play on their own.
Encouraging unstructured free play time is essential for any organization focused on child development.
Q. Why is free play time so important?
A. Children actively explore their world through play. They learn to challenge their bodies and minds, communicate with others, solve problems and use their imaginations. But much of children’s time these days is scheduled down to the minute with school and after-school activities. When they do have free time, many children spend it looking at a screen. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry reports that U.S. children ages 8 to 12 spent four to six hours a day watching or using screens.
Providing opportunities for free play, or child-directed play, helps kids engage their imaginations and explore their world, which is critical to their development and mental health.
Q. How can we get started providing opportunities for child-directed, unstructured free play?
A. Make-believe play and play with blocks are ideal ways to get kids playing. Give kids foam blocks designed in a variety of shapes, and watch as they use their creativity to explore all the ways they can build. Children can use the blocks to construct, pretend, role-play and even invent their own games. Benefits of this type of play include problem-solving, relaxation, development of fine and gross motor skills, a sense of accomplishment, and development of focus and determination, creativity, communication, collaboration, self-expression and social skills.
Blocks made from easy-to-clean waterproof-foam ensure that they are resistant to mold, mildew, corrosion and microorganisms. The blocks can be used indoors or out, and on a variety of surfaces. Most importantly, they allow children to choose their own course of play.
For More Information
Imagination Playground LLC:
678-604-7466
www.imaginationplayground.com