As a sitter or nanny, it’s a given that one of your job duties is playing with the kids. But the importance of playtime is about more than just keeping them occupied and entertained. Play is an essential factor in how kids grow and as a child care professional, you can make specific choices about their playtime that can have the greatest impact.
How Does Play Benefit Children?
Playtime is important to many aspects of the healthy growth and development of kids’ brains. Play is instrumental in helping them develop the skills required for success in school and beyond. These skills include:
Memory
Short and long-term memory is enhanced when kids play with toys or games repeatedly, recalling rules, strategies, and other details from previous playtime sessions.
Visual and Spatial Awareness
When children understand where they are in space in relationship with objects and other people, it helps with not bumping into things and picking things up, but also so much more.
Language
Children of all ages, including infants and toddlers, can learn all kinds of new vocabulary through play, especially when there is an adult nearby to guide and provide input. Even if they can’t say or use the words, they can still learn the meanings.
Communication and Social Skills
When playing with others, children learn about interpreting tone of voice and facial expressions and conducting appropriate interactions. They also build empathy and learn about the art of negotiation.
Attention Span
Certain types of play, especially those related to construction, promote sustained attention on one activity or object, as well as the ability to manage competing demands or avoid distraction.
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
All forms of active play involve some kind of motor skill, whether children are manipulating objects, gaining proficiency with both hands, improving hand-eye coordination, or increasing strength and agility in large muscle groups.
How Can Child Care Providers Encourage the Benefits of Play?
There are many different ways to encourage learning through play—most likely you’ve already done some with children in the past. Here are some types of play that have learning benefits:
- Create a Sensory Table
- Create an Art Table
- Create A Book Nook
- Build With Blocks
- Games on the Playground
- Taking a Nature Hike
Take some time to think about the benefits of the activities you already do with the kids in your care. And then see if there are any other learning benefits you could incorporate through other playful activities.
