At the surface level, play can seem a trivial endeavor that serves to just keep a child entertained. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Child’s play can be educational just as much as it is fun. It can be a great avenue for little ones to pick up skills and guide early year development in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Consequently, our infographic today deep dives into the catalyzing power of play on childhood development.

Play in a child’s early years is more crucial than ever. As children play they begin to explore their feelings and learn new ways of expressing themselves. As a result, they gain a lot of new skills. Here are the amazing benefits of play in a child’s early year development.

Things parents should need to know about play

• Children learn through play
• Play is healthy
• Play benefits your child’s development
• Play reduces the stress
• Play teaches through experience
• Play and learning go hand-in-hand
• Play teaches them how to overcome challenges
• Play helps them address failures and rise above it

Play builds 

• Gross motor skills
• Fine motor skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Creative skills
• Social skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Executive functioning skills
• Sensory skills

Benefits of play

• Faster learning and better memory
• Improves creative thinking
• Promotes self-confidence
• Improves communication and vocabulary
• Impulse control and emotion regulation
• Social competence and more empathy
• Better health and physical development
• Life lessons learning
• Better relationship

Kids who play more,

• Are very creative
• Have healthier heart
• Have a higher IQ
• Are less likely to be obese
• Have better language skills
• Gain better emotional regulation
• Exhibit greater impulse control

Kids who play grow up to be people who,

• Think for themselves and with-stand peer pressure
• Assume responsibility for their words and actions
• They are able to see options and choices in their life
• Want to be their own person with their own ideas
• Value creativity and originality
• They are full of their own plans and goals
• They are self-directed learners
• They are interested and curious 

Parent’s role in your child’s playtime. Here are some ideas for getting involved:

• Jump right in – Playing together with them helps build a foundation for trusting relation
• Forget the rules – Encourage exploration and creative play as it develops imagination
• Think like a child – Play with toys and safe house utilities in new ways with them
• Take a break – watch them if they are happy while playing if they seem bored re-direct their activity 
• Participate Enthusiastically – Be a part while your child play and encourage them to explore
• Let your child guide – Allow them to pick an activity and decide how to play

Vaekke helps parents identify and create quality learning experiences for their kids!