The Importance of Play

Children need play in their daily lives so they can learn of the bigger world from a safe vantage point. As an early child educator, I have enjoyed watching children during play, because I could see them trying out new roles and discovering different aspects of themselves. In the context of free-play, they learn to better express their views and understand themselves in relation to the world. As a parent, I have been able to unobtrusively observe what is going on inside my children’s heads and indirectly learn what is of concern and at issue. In the security of play, I have heard them try out various life scenarios that would be very threatening if they were really happening in “true life,” (such as the loss of a parent). As a psychologist, I know play’s therapeutic value, for it allows a child to safely open up a closed door that is too harsh to view without a safety net. When given the chance to talk through a puppet or draw out a feeling with crayons and paper, a great deal can be learned about the child and his fears and problems.

There are many types of play, but for the most part they can be split into two categories- structured and unstructured play. When children are involved with organized sports, such as soccer or softball, this is structured play. So are playing board and card games. Rules are put into place in order to govern the choices of the players and identify courses of acceptable action.

Unstructured play is less specific in its goals or objectives. Children engage in free play that flows from point to point without set rules or expectations. For instance, five children might want to play “house” in the dress-up corner at school and there might be three mommies, one child and a dog. Everyone gets to contribute to the general idea without one child in complete control. In this type of play, there are often unexpected twists and turns that can keep the game going for a long period of time.