Play And Toddler's Development

Based on relevant reading and personal experience outline the theoretical rationale for play in the development of young children.

Play contributes to developing the whole child and to the development of each part of that child. Play is beneficial in many areas of a child’s development. This includes a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas of development. The benefits of play, offer children an opportunity to be creative, form bonds with other children, and allows children to experience their natural environments. “Play fulfills a wide variety of purposes in the life of the child” (Weissman & Hendrick, 2014, p. 61).

The relationship between play and learning seems obvious to many child professionals and parents, and yet there are still lack of understanding surrounding the importance of children's play. Some people believe that children need to "work" not play, and that playing serves no useful purpose in a learning and development environment. This is surprising considering that play, with its high levels of motivation and potential enjoyment empowers children (as well as people

Children develop normally when they are exposed to different types of play that allow them to express themselves while using their imaginations and being physically active. According to the Center for Health Education, Training and Nutrition Awareness, “Play is child’s work”; this is true because it is a child’s job is to learn and develop in their first few years of life, in order for them to do this, they play (CHETNA). Not only is playing a child’s full time job, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights listed play as a right of every child (Ginsburg). Through their full time job of play, the children develop emotionally, socially, physically, and creatively. Children need to participate in child-led play in order to

Is it Important for a child to play? The obvious answer would be yes but what constitutes play? Free unstructured play? Structured play? What differences do these types of play involve and which is better? The question why should my child play and why can’t they do it alone comes to mind to many parents often or is sometimes not even thought about in their busy lives to keep the child provided for. It is often at the back of our minds that children enjoy themselves while making sure they have everything needed to survive is right at the forefront.

To children, play is just fun. However, playtime is as important to their development as food and good care. Playtime helps children be creative, learn problem-solving skills and learn self-control.  Good, hardy play, which includes running and yelling, is not only fun, but helps children to be physically and mentally healthy.

Early childhood educators are well aware of how important a role play is to a child's learning and development. Teachers intuitively know that play is an integral part of a young child's life. Being able to play, both with others and alone is a crucial aspect of a child's healthy development. Much research has been conducted on the subject of play and children's development. It has been documented that play enhances a child's physical, emotional, social, and creative

How play helps build thinking and language skills, large and small motor skills and social-emotional skills How play helps children prepare for academic learning and supports the development of literacy How children playing gradually builds the foundation for reading and writing through growth in oral language, learning to love books and gaining an understanding of print.

Play is central to the development of children, enabling them to make sense of their world as they learn through exploration and experimentation. Susan Isaacs said ‘play is indeed the child’s work and the means whereby he grows and develops’. (Isaacs,1929) Play can support a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development through the following:

It is important for the caregivers to maintain healthy attachments with the child. In doing so, the child will feel secure which will help with development. They are asking why questions to learn about the world (Hutchison, pg. 469, 2013). At this stage, they have a vast vocabulary. It is important to healthy development for motor skills to continue to grow. Kids know how to scribble, draw, and cut with scissors. Also, they can run forward, walk a line, and walk up and down stairs (Hutchison, pg. 467, 2013). Moreover, children become more social and acquire friends. The role of play is important to development in that it enhances motor, cognitive, emotional, and social

As children are are playing they are working on their physical, cognitive, social emotional, and academic development. Different play activities helps the children to learn and develop in different ways. Here I will give you some examples on how play-based activities support child’s development.

Play is the foundation stone of children’s healthy and productive lives (Oliver & Klugman, 2002) and is also a significant means of child’s learning and development (Zigler, Singer & Bishop-

Play offers opportunity for children to explore and engage their interest. Through a variety of cultural experience, children develop a foundation for culture. This supports children’s sense of belonging and builds children’s self-identities.

Berger mentions three types of play children need for physical and cognitive growth along with psychosocial development. They are active, rough-and-tumble and sociodramatic. Active play includes walking, stretching, running, climbing, throwing, kicking, crawling, spiraling, swimming, and the list can go on and on when you add a game or a playmate. Active play facilitates to promote gross motor skills by developing muscles for strength and coordination. As the prefrontal cortex matures

Play can also improve cognitive development because children can play in a relaxed environment and manner. This allows creativity, exploration, and independence comes into effect. When new things are being discovered, this is an open end learning opportunity. Lastly, play can help with children’s