I have spent so many years in my career teaching teachers and parents about the value of PLAY” in a child’s life-growth and development. Yes, it is critical in their cognitive development, but it is equally as important in the development of their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. We as anxious and sometimes as competitive parents think that “play” is not learning and for some of us, we see it as a waste of their time. I believe that our society has conditioned us to believe these absolute myths. We are so consumed with trying to make sure our children are ahead of the game-even though we don’t know what that game is-that we ignore our instinct that calls us to remember who we were as children and how we felt when we played. “Hands on experiences”!
I don’t think many parents and caregivers realize just how much children learn when they are completely engaged in their “PLAY”! It opens opportunities for social engagement, critical thinking and problem-solving situations, creativity, using their vivid imagination, and just pure unfiltered joy. Isn’t that what we want for our children? Play is their work, and their work is play.
