Benefits of Play - May 2013
Play is one way children learn about themselves and the world.
Playing enables children to form positive experiences because they:
 Learn how to get along with others and to sort out conflicts.
 Practice their language skills and develop their small (fine) and large (gross) motor skills.
Play encourages independence, self-esteem, creativity, and it gets their energy out!
It gives children a much needed “down time” and functions as a stress reliever.
Play is exhilarating; it engages with and broadens your child’s understanding. Just think about how
happy you feel when you participate in something that is exciting, vigorous and fun.
Play is all about having fun that is full of joy and pleasure.
Playing can make the child laugh and recent research has found that laughter is a powerful process to
boost a child’s mood and psychological well-being. The body releases endorphins and relieves stress
as a natural physiological response to the physical act of laughing.
Play is worthwhile because it elevates the child’s development and makes a positive impact on their
frame of mind.