The Importance of Play
Play is important for healthy development and can provide children
with a whole range of opportunities for learning, exercise, and
having a good time. Play helps build a firm foundation for both
social and educational skills.
Play helps children develop because it:
 Encourages children to practice and develop their social
skills such as communicating, sharing, turn taking, listening
and negotiating.
 Gives a break from structured learning and ‘work’.
 Allows children to develop the ability to deal with fairness,
cheating, aggression and power.
 Helps children develop the friendship skills of making,
maintaining, and repairing relationships as well as
developing trust and a sense of togetherness.
 Extends the imagination and encourages creativity.
Adults have a key role in helping to create the climate and
opportunities which encourage children’s play and sense of wellbeing at play times. Games can also help to build stronger, more
positive relationships between children and adults.