A child is born with an empty brain that has the potential to learn EVERYTHING there is to learn in the Universe. Along with that, he even has the curiosity to do so. Now, it’s our responsibility that we provide him different environments where he can learn the wonders of the world safely.
In children, playing is not just for fun and pleasure – playing promotes physical, social, and cognitive development as well. Here’s how it goes.
How Does Playing Promote An All-Round Development In Children?
Understanding The Environment: The world is a very new, seemingly magical place for an infant. He needs to understand how things work – from how to latch on his mother’s nipple to how to speak a language to how to become a national leader or an astronaut. And that journey begins on his Day 1 on Earth!
The more stimulants he interacts with, the more he gets to learn and understand. And what are those stimulants? Everything! Different noises, various colors, smells, different activities, and different noises. And having toys that offer them a wide variety of stimulants will help them in their cognitive growth.
Using Their Senses: In an infant, we can usually see that they put everything in their mouths. Initially, this is the only way they know to judge something. As they grow, their other senses start to take charge. At this time, we must give them enough space to play in and toys to play with. This helps them engage their senses better. They learn to develop taste, understand different sounds and their implications, develop color preferences and many more.
Versatile toys and interactive games with other children and adults will help them understand how to use their different senses to perceive the world around them.
Enhancing Their Creative & Problem-Solving Skills: Children receive many toys like jigsaw puzzles, abacus, Legos, or any other board game (stay clear of choking hazards!) etc. Put them to good use. Play these games along with them to enhance their problem-solving skills. Encourage them to draw and paint or use building blocks to boost their creative side.
These skills learned at home will be helpful when they go out and play with other children or when they face any challenges in their daily life or to overcome fear and thus, build confidence.
Learning Social Interactions: Communication is the foundation of human society. You can see many job seekers around you who opt for personality development classes. These are nothing but attempts to improve social skills.
Even the most simple games, like two children assorting red and green color balls from a mix, or children taking turns to use a swing in a park, or role-playing their rhymes and stories, etc. can promote cooperative thinking, develop empathy.
Learning To ‘Behave: Many parents complain that their child is indiscipline or that they do not obey the house rules. Games can be a great way to teach discipline to your children. When children play in groups, they learn to lead, to follow, to share, to negotiate, to stand up for themselves, and to help each other. However, supervisors or parents in playschools, creches or playgrounds must intervene to discourage bullying or other harmful behaviors.
Under proper guidance, even seemingly ‘aimless’ running and cluttering may contribute heavily towards the development of a child’s social skills.
Discovering Their Interests: When children free-play, they come across various stimulants. Some of them, they like; some, they don’t. But this is how they discover their likes and dislikes. And this is why it can be a very good idea to let your child explore different skills within their pre-school ages. They may show affiliation towards arts, sports, logic, or other talents. When those talents are honed, they will prove to be valuable skills when your children grow up and step out to make their mark on this world.
Promoting Physical Fitness: Last, but not least, playing helps children in gaining physical fitness. Initially, it is a great way to encourage balance and dexterity. Later, it helps in evading the health-monster, named obesity, and keeps their bodies active and healthy. Playing at a younger age helps them develop a good sense of exercising which will help them throughout their lives.
Playing is very crucial for a child’s all-round development. Its importance is recognized even by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights – it has declared playing as a child’s basic right!