What Are the Benefits of Play in Early Childhood Education?

Cognitive Learning

• Play contributes to cognitive development. When your preschooler is playing, she reinforces what she already knows, and she may also discover a new idea. For example, your child may know that a block is a square object. However, when she puts two blocks together in play, she is learning something new. She sees a rectangle.

Social Interaction

• Children at play learn appropriate social skills and interactions. When a child is playing a board game or action game with other children, he may learn that making noises or talking may slow down or ruin the progress. He may learn how to take turns or respect the decisions of others. He may learn new strategies from careful observation. Also, he may learn how to accomplish or finish a task when working with others.

Role Playing

• Children at play can discover details and knowledge about the roles that others perform in real life. If your child is playing with other children in a group or cooperative setting, you or her teacher may observe her playing, for example, the role of her pediatrician at work. Other children may be acting the part of a nurse, patient, receptionist or parent. As the children set up their own imaginary doctor’s office, they are learning about all of the roles in play.

Relieve Stress

• Unstructured outdoor play or recess time is a good way for your young son to release tension or deal with stress. When a child is tossing a ball around or playing a game of chase, he may be learning that physical activity or a game without adult interference helps him cope with the tensions of life in a constructive way.