The importance of playing for child development

Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children. Despite the benefits derived from play for both children and parents, time for free play has been markedly reduced for some children. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills they need for study, work and relationships such as: confidence, develop social skills, language and communication.