The Importance of Play!

You may wonder what we mean when we say, “We are a play-based setting” and “The children learn so much through play.” So here we will explore more into the true meaning of why Play is so important for all children.

 “Play is one of the most misunderstood concepts. In today’s world it is also one of the most underrated. And yet it is the most vital component for development – the gift of play is the greatest thing we can ever possibly give a child. Unfortunately, the incessant clamour for measurability and adult world – dominated thinking overshadows the truly rich potential of play and replaces it instead with a stale and stagnant regiment of worksheets, structure and the treadmill of ‘factory-setting’ tick box activities.” Greg Bottrill, ‘Can I go Play Now!’

What we need to focus on and what we feel we do well here at The Learning Tree is to really tune into the greatest gift that there is for a child, and that is quite simply PLAY! And we are not scared to say this! So many people are afraid of the word Play and feel that we need to use different terminology such as ‘choosing time’ or ‘learning time’ but when you can truly understand how meaningful and beneficial play is, you feel confident to say the word “PLAY”

We train our practitioners to really understand why play is important but to also know how to be a practitioner that can step into a child’s world and support the play that is happening. 

It will also take a very skilled practitioner to know when they do not need to step into the play but to rather observe to see what the child is able to do and to see how they can reach their next goal with or without the support of the adult. 

Play offers so many opportunities for the children from cognitive development to physical, social and emotional well-being. When a child is playing, they are learning about the world around them and continuously learning new lifelong skills along the way. When we allow the children to play, they can lead their learning really explore what they are interested in and extend their knowledge and understanding of things.

Now we know what we mean when we say Play and know that Play is fundamental to the early years, here are the benefits broken down:
Play helps with creative thinking and imagination!

Play helps our brain to make and to strengthen connections.

It helps with building the foundations for physical development including the skill of handwriting.

Play helps children to learn about not only the world around then but also themselves.

Play supports well-being for children allowing them to be motivated and having a positive impact on motivation.