The Power of Play
Antoinette Steyn • February 18, 2021
Playing, and with playing I refer to the old fashioned way, is a lifelong skill which contributes to building and satisfying curiosity. It broadens the way a child thinks and reduces stress as well as boosts energy levels. Children have an innate desire to play and a sense of play.
Play develops, amongst others, communication skills, relationship skills and facilitates cognitive development. Children who had a father play with them were found to have greater levels of imagination as well as cognitive ability compared to children whose dad’s did not play with them. Children whose mothers played with them developed a more secure attachment to their mothers and enjoyed more positive development in comparison to children whose mothers did not play with them. Older children who played with their parents were more engaged in other activities, experienced more positive school engagement, had more positive mental health, stronger friendship networks and also enjoyed greater family closeness as opposed to children without playful parents.
Do you still prioritise playtime in your house?
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