The Benefits of Play for Your Child

Play is an activity we do because we enjoy it, it’s fun and flexible, and it starts right from birth. It can involve a combination of using our body, interacting with objects, using symbols and building relationships.

Play can...

• be organised or free, planned or unplanned.
• include purchased, borrowed, homemade or imaginative toys.
• be at home or outside 🏠🌳
• be done alone or with others.
• be loud and energetic or still and quiet.
• help both release and recharge energy.

Children need to be supervised by an adult when playing 👨‍👦

Organised play is often led by an adult and includes some directions and rules. Older children are more likely to enjoy and benefit from organised play.

Examples of organised play include:

• outdoor ball games like kicking a soccer ball ⚽
• getting used to water through classes for toddlers or swimming lessons for older children
• storytelling groups for toddlers and preschoolers at the local library 📚
• dance, music or drama classes for children of all ages
• family board or card games 🎲
  
  

Free play is unplanned, it just happens, depending on what takes your child’s interest at the time.

Free play is important because it allows a child to use their imagination and move at their own pace.

Examples of free play include

• creative play alone or with others, including, peek-a-boo, looking at a book, drawing and music 🎵
• imaginative games – for example, making cubbyhouses with boxes or blankets, dressing up or playing make-believe
• exploring new or favourite spaces like cupboards, backyards, parks, playgrounds and so on 🛝

You can be part of your child’s free play and sometimes all you’ll need to do is point your child in the right direction. However, it is okay and even encouraged to follow your child’s lead. By waiting, you are allowing your child time to develop their own ideas and build their confidence and independence to explore and create.

As your child grows, they will be able to focus better and improve their physical skills, which will change the way they play. Your child will get more creative and experiment more with toys, games and ideas. This might mean they need more space and time to play.

Your child does not always need toys or equipment to play – they can play with affordable, everyday household items or without anything at all. Interacting together through talking, singing, dancing and exploring are all play.

Feed time, bath time, hanging out the washing, doing the grocery shopping are all great opportunities to engage in play with your child 🛒

Check out the Rasing Children Network for some more great play ideas:

• Babies play & learning | Raising Children Network
• Toddlers play & learning | Raising Children Network
  
  

Creating safe spaces for your child to play is very important.

For babies, the floor is best. Make sure you lie down and scan the room for any dangers.

A mix of indoor and outdoor play is good. Finding some green spaces is great, especially for sensory play. A backyard or local park are great play spaces, just make sure to supervise while playing 🌿