Playtime is not just about having fun. It’s about learning, too. Whether your children are busy singing nursery rhymes to their dolls as they put them to bed or running around the room to catch a ball, they are developing critical skills needed in their growth and development.
Play can’t be restricted to a small amount of time. Children need time to develop and work on an idea independently or with friends. And when they are satisfied with their accomplishments, they’re done for the day.
For too long, parents have been stressing over which toys to buy, which educational apps to install on their tablets, and which activities will stimulate their children’s brains. In fact, it is not the toys, apps, or activities that help with creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It is actually playtime.
Playtime is crucial to your child’s development. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics has advised pediatricians to give playtime prescriptions to kids at their appointments. It is a serious aspect of children’s growth, so they should be doing more of it.
Play is the core of the child’s development.
During playtime, children can express their feelings and work through their emotions. This is a healthy time for them to try new things, take risks, socialize, develop friendships and respect, and learn how to take turns and share.
According to a 2012 study, old-fashioned, open-ended play helps children calm themselves, reduce stress, and build resilience. Free play gives them the opportunity to play whatever they want. They can choose any material, interest, or plot. These things are essential to help little ones fully express themselves.
Every child is unique. You may find children who love to run and slide with their friends. Some want to draw and color pictures, while others want to play with blocks and puzzles alone. It is beneficial to let children be who they want to be during playtime.
There are many different ways to encourage learning and exploration through playtime activities that you can do at home. Here are five ideas:
1. Provide opportunities to work on their motor skills like crawling, climbing, and running.
Children should have a space to explore and discover independently when playing. To do this, provide them with a safe place free from potential hazards and distractions.
If you have ample space at home, like an area near a window for natural light to pass through or a vacant spot in your living room, you can create a simple station with their toys, books, plushies, etc. Be sure that this area is easily seen so you can check them quickly from time to time.
Have your child join you as you create her play area. Ask them to tape their favorite pictures or drawings on the wall, organize their toys, or arrange the books. Not only have you created your child’s favorite place at home, but you’ve also had a great time bonding with her.
2. Encourage imaginative drama play.
Who doesn’t want to be a star in their own show?
Imaginative drama play stirs your child’s creativity. This goes a long way in developing their brain. Children learn a lot as they use their imagination and make things up as they go along.
With drama play, it doesn’t matter if it happens indoors or outdoors. You can use simple props or recognizable objects in new ways while acting as their favorite story characters.
For example, you can take one of their favorite stories and recreate the characters using dolls, plushies, or hand puppets. Or, to make the story grander, you can dress your children up and help them dramatize their favorite character! You’re sure to have a ton of laughter, giggles, and cherished moments together.
3. Play games that involve counting, matching, and sorting.
Playing games that involve counting, matching, and sorting can help children improve their fine motor skills. For example, matching games that require children to pick up and manipulate small objects can help them develop their dexterity.
Sorting games that require children to sort different shaped blocks or pieces can also help them develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Counting games involve physically counting objects, such as counting bears or blocks. It can help children learn to associate numbers with quantities and improve their counting abilities.
These games can teach children basic concepts in a fun and interactive way. Just as counting games can teach children basic counting skills, matching games can help children learn different colors, shapes, and patterns, and sorting games can introduce them to other groups and categories.
Lastly, these games can help children improve their social and emotional development. Playing games with others can help children learn how to take turns, share, and work in teams. It can also help to build their confidence and self-esteem as they master new skills and achieve goals.
4. Read stories together and talk about the pictures.
Reading stories isn’t just about entertainment. It helps little ones develop their language skills, improve their vocabulary, understand and interpret the world around them, ands build their imagination and creativity.
Stories can also help them develop empathy, as they learn to understand and relate to the feelings and experiences of the characters.
Moreover, reading stories with children also helps them develop their cognitive skills. It helps them to understand the concept of cause and effect, and to make predictions about what might happen next in the story. It’s an activity that helps develop their memory, concentration, and ability to focus and pay attention.
Lastly, it helps children to build a strong bond with their parents as they spend quality time together. Sounds great, right?
5. Encourage them to ask questions and express their ideas.
Ask your child today, “What do you want to do?” Based on their response, you can help them explore their interests. For example, one child wants to build a city out of blocks, and another wants to dress up as a fairy. You can show your support by handing them the needed materials and providing a safe space to work with them.
When your child stumbles over a problem, you can guide them by asking a question that allows them to choose, like, “What do you need, a hug, or help?”.
As parents, we should allow them to choose what they want us to do rather than go for what we want to do with them. It is important to not do everything for our children, but rather give support and clues so they can think and decide for themselves.
The Montessori-style playtime at Chabad ELC that children get excited about
At Chabad Early Learning Center, free play is one of the many reasons why children run happily into school every morning. They are excited to try new things, explore new ideas, express themselves, and socialize with their peers.
Classes on all levels at Chabad ELC starts with open-ended free play. It usually takes an hour and a half to a full day, depending on the children’s age groups. Children develop many skills — they become creative and independent, work on their gross and fine motor skills, and discover the joy of learning and exploration.
By providing blocks of playtime, you can help your child develop essential skills and have fun at the same time!
If you want to know more about the incredible benefits of playtime, check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we share tons of informative videos about the methods we implement at Chabad and more.
