play-based learning for children - the importance of play
The importance of play is a topic we at Baby Brain have been meaning to cover, as it is a core value of what we do and why we do what we do. But how do you cover the huge significance of a playful childhood in a few short sentences.
First and foremost, the importance of play-based activities for younger children is not simply an opinion of ours, but has been proven by numerous research studies. Here is one that is rather comprehensive.
“Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. . . . . . This report offers guidelines on how pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school systems, and communities consider how best to ensure that play is protected as they seek the balance in children’s lives to create the optimal developmental milieu.”
“Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.”
(To download a PDF of AAP's research, click here.)
Despite the astounding studies proving how beneficial play is to both children and parents, time for free play has been significantly reduced for most. Factors include hectic lifestyle, changes in family structure and increased attention to academics and enrichment activities at the expense of recess or free child-centred play.
Utilising the Reggio Emilia approach, play is an essential core in every one of our programs that we provide at Baby Brain. In short, we couldn't sum it up any better than this final quote by the famous Irish playwright and co-founder of the London School of Economics.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing”