The Importance of Play

Play may just seem like a fun time, but it’s actually essential for development and learning. According to Harvard University, supporting responsive relationships, strengthening core life skills and reducing sources of stress are key principles in helping children develop and thrive. Play can support all of these by:

• encouraging and creating opportunities for social interactions
• allowing children to create plans and problem solve
• reducing stress levels, giving space to practice coping skills and developing resilience
• helping children process and express experience in enjoyable ways that make them feel better

Promote play with the children in your life and also help ensure that they have opportunity for unstructured activity with and without adult involvement.

Watch this video from Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child to learn more about how play supports the three core principles of helping children and families thrive.