by Teacher Nancy D. Sivilai Why is play important for children? Although, play is often misunderstood as killing time or a free activity with no product to display for parents. Good play will result in development of social, emotional, physical, intellectual and language benefits for your child. It has shown that it strengthens skills and deepens understanding of concepts. It gives your child opportunities to explore, experiment, create and imagine. In Social development, play is the means of developing a healthy personality. Play provides the opportunity to express thoughts and ideas and to try out ways of behaving and feeling. It will provide your child a safe avenue to express positive and negative emotions. Play allows your child to be powerful and in control, or to play out frustrations and anger or disappointments. Your child gets to translate his/her feelings and thoughts into action and be in control to make own choices. In Physical development, your child will use his/her physical body to run, climb, or swing, and is exercising and strengthening small muscles as well as large body muscles. Outside play encourages physical activity, cooperation, and turn taking as your child learns to play together and help each other. In Intellectual Development, through unpressured play, your child can invent new solutions, come up with unique ideas and different approaches even if they are pretend. Your child learns to be a leader and follower. Your child learns to give and take. Your child learns to be less bossy, less meek, less shy. To be a contributor, to cooperate and to be flexible. Play encourages your child to be a friend. In Language skills, play stretches vocabulary by proving opportunities to use new words, talk to playmates, or listen to another’s language and point of view. Briefly put, play gives your child opportunities to express thoughts and ideas. Your child will try out skills, create, explore, plan, and discover problems and try out solutions. In addition, your child will expand his/her attention as he/she stays on task and remains attentive to activities of his/her choices. Play does not create pressure or tension that is commonly associated with more structured learning approaches. Play is one of the most important times in your child’s day. In today’s world of balancing work and home, you may find it hard to have quality time with your child. It is essential to make the best use of time with your child. Your child needs time with you to relax and play. Playing you’re your child will build a lasting bond. Playing with your child can also be a stress reducer when overworked. Laughing and relaxing are important for everyone. You might play ball, go for a walk, read a story, sing along or play instrument, build with blocks or legos. Playtime also provides opportunities to talk about any concerns and share your values and increase your communication with your child. I suggest you say to your child, “Let’s play and have fun!”