For children, play isn’t just fun and games; it’s an important building block for healthy growth and development. Play helps children learn from the world around them, forge connections with others and build valuable character skills like generosity and honesty. These skills improve a child’s social-emotional wellbeing, which can lead to them becoming happy, healthy adults. And because it helps children release their full range of emotions and can even have therapeutic benefits, play has positive effects on their mental health as well. Read on to learn more about the positives of playtime and how it’s incorporated at Primrose schools. 

The Power of Play  

When a child is given the time and space to enjoy play, amazing things can happen. Playtime gives young children the chance to experiment and explore, to try new things in a safe space where it’s okay to fail, get back up and try again. And when a child achieves the goal they set during playtime, whether that’s stacking a tall block tower or making a delicious “meal” with pretend food, they build self-confidence and experience the satisfaction of accomplishment. 

Play becomes even more impactful when shared between two children or within a group. This time is key for developing the interpersonal skills that help little ones build strong, healthy relationships. From choosing which game to play to sharing excitement with others, cooperative play encourages children to work together and practice responding to one another’s feelings and opinions.  

The Benefit of Playing at Home 

It’s important for children to experience play both at school and at home. “When your child plays with you at home, your relationship strengthens, and you both benefit from the fun and relaxation. It also gives you a chance to observe your child’s development,” notes Amy Jackson, Chief Early Learning Strategy Officer at Primrose Schools. Be sure to balance out shared social playtime with independent play so your little one has a chance to explore on their own. 

“As your child ages, they will begin to show preferences for certain types of play, such as dramatic play vs. building with blocks. Try to encourage all forms of play so they have a wide variety of experiences to choose from,” says Jackson. Students are encouraged to tap into their imaginations and pretend that they are a chef, a firefighter or even their favorite animal at the dramatic play centers found in Primrose classrooms. You can bring the make-believe fun home by playing “restaurant” with your little one or acting like superheroes together. No matter what kind of play your child engages in, they are strengthening their social-emotional wellbeing along the way. 

How Balanced Learning® Utilizes Play 

Play is an important part of our Balanced Learning curriculum. True to its name, our approach balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion.  

“We know that children have a natural desire and ability to play, which is why Primrose students have a chance to engage in independent play and at eight different Children’s Choice Learning centers throughout the day,” says Jackson. Learning centers allow children to explore, learn more about themselves and the world around them, and how to interact with and learn from one another. 

Our Balanced Learning approach also emphasizes the importance of child-initiated, teacher-guided learning. This means that children can practice responsibility and independence as they explore and discover while under the caring supervision of a teacher. Teachers engage students while they play to create powerful experiences for every child. 

Building Connections Through Play 

The verbal exchange between a child and a caretaker, known as serve and return, is another benefit of play time. “Environments rich in this type of early talk help build strong neural connections, especially when the relationship between the child and adult is solid,” notes Jackson. Teachers at Primrose schools foster these important connections when they provide nurturing guidance during play time. Students get the valuable opportunity to practice early talk with their teachers as they play together, allowing them to build communication skills while having fun. 

At Primrose, we’re dedicated to early childhood education and making the most of your child’s first five years by engaging their natural sense of curiosity so they can develop a lifelong love of learning. We take joy in creating opportunities for play that go beyond entertainment and encourage families to do the same at home.

For more on how different types of play benefit children, visit: 

• Understanding your 2- to 3-year-olds developmental milestones (primroseschools.com) 
• Why It’s Beneficial to Let Your Child Play in the Dirt – Primrose Schools 
• Why Outdoor Play is Beneficial for Children – Primrose Schools