There are many benefits of playtime for young children; it’s more than just expensive toys. To a child, playtime is critical for a healthy, well-faceted childhood. It can also be an outlet for a young child to understand emotions that they might be having a difficult time coming to terms with.
Foster Imagination
Children naturally imitate the world around them when they play, so playtime is a great chance to stimulate creativity and help a child learn. One day they might be a baby lion exploring the jungle, another they might be using their blocks to be gas station builders. Dramatic play is the ideal time for children to act out how they see families, jobs and gender roles.
Build Vocabulary
Sometimes a little one babbles to their toys and narrates what they’re doing. Other times a child and their friend might be Ewoks and set up the village together. They will need to talk and sort out their plans, right? Whether they’re by themselves or with another child, communication is one important aspect of playtime that might have gone unnoticed.
Understand Emotion
If a small one has gone through a traumatic event in their life such as a loss, playing can help them cope with complex emotions. Using their toys to “talk” and understand what is happening might be a healthy, non-threatening way for them to open up and be transparent about their feelings.
Build Positive Relationships
Children start to play together instead of side-by-side around age two. Playing together is a fantastic way for them to learn to interact with one another and to understand differences. This is a precursor to building friendships and positive relationships.
All children enjoy playing, so encourage it at all ages. Playtime is important for a happy, healthy, well-rounded child and helps shape them into healthy adults.
