Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development

Introduction

This study helps in providing different principles and development that can be used in early childhood development. The stage of children’s growth is influenced by good play and support from parents and the entire society. The importance of the analysis is to come up with current and modern approaches in child’s development process. The study will also provide different models and principles that can be used in child development. For the research study to be effective, the three major outlines will be to understand the curriculum activities that help in childhood development, social-cultural issues that relate to the development and use children’s experiences to relate to future development. 

Most parents and individuals in the society outlines that education starts in the earliest lives of children. The process involves the development of basic values, skills, behaviors, attitudes, and positive habits (Davis & Elliott, 2003). From an early age, children are able to learn based on the culture and social practices in the social base. Thus, it is important to introduce a learning system that will be used in the future lives of the kids. The learning process should not be complicated and hence the need for play and other social activities in the process. 

Play in Early Childhood

Play is necessary and very important in child’s development and bonding (Bodrova & Leong, 2005). The process of playing helps children to connect with their parents and other friends. A parent is the first teacher, and the process of teaching must involve playing for easier understanding. When children play during the growth and development process, they are able to understand the different expectations of the society which creates a bonding. According to (Fox, 2008), different research studies provided the importance of play in early childhood development. Play enhances and improves language development, creativity and imagination. When a child plays, there are different activities involved, and in the process, one is able to develop social skills, language, and intelligence. Play also helps individuals to build their human experiences since they use their past experiences and lessons to tackle future problems. 

According to individuals with a childhood experience, play is enjoyable and unprompted and has helped children to learn different skills socially through the interaction of different cultures. At the process of education, children are enrolled into a common curriculum despite their social and economic backgrounds. The importance of the common curriculum is to help children have a universal study policy which creates unity and bond among the different communities. In the school area, children play with others by using different sports equipment.

Different Playing Activities for Child’s Development

At every stage in a child’s growth, play is important from the day of birth to old age (Bodrova & Leong, 2005). The different playing methods and activities support child’s development process. The different play methods include:

Solitary play involves an independent play where children from three to eighteen months spend most of their time playing alone. At this stage, children are exploring the world and what surrounds them by touching objects, watching, and throwing. The type of play is assumed to be a learning process for the young toddler to make them understand their surroundings. 

An onlooker activity is a play method where a toddler participates in the playing process of other children through communication. The onlooker just joins in the conversation of playing children but does not participate in the actual activities. At this age, the toddler wants to join in the play but is not conversant with the activities being done by other children. 

Parallel play is a point when children have an understanding of what is expected and thus play with other children with minimal interruptions. The parallel play helps the children to know the importance of competition and hard work where the winner gets rewarded for being the best player. The process of play also acts as a physical activity for improvement and development since the children will do different exercises. With the parallel play, toddlers appreciate each other, and this also improves bonding in the society. 

Associative play is when the children interact with other children in terms of what they have by sharing toys. A child will start to socialize and talk to another toddler because they have a better toy than theirs and they want to borrow. At this stage, children learn the art of sharing and become effective in communicating. The children are able to come up with an agreement on the exchange and borrowing terms which is principled, and this improves their social skills in future years. 

From the associative play, children also learn to create a cooperative play where the different players are organized in groups. The games have rules, and every member is expected to act by the rules whether they are the group leaders or local members. The play method is important since it helps improve the skill of cooperation and understanding among the children. 

With the different play methods, children gain knowledge and learn to solve different issues and conflicts in life. Children also get the opportunity to explore the world by themselves without being taught in school and from their parents. The process of creativity among children starts with play where the toddlers get an understanding of the complex games and puzzles. One also becomes creative through the different imaginations which will help in brain development. When children are playing with each other, they learn to be self-confident and find ways of solving self-issues (Ginsburg, 2007. From the associative and cooperative play sets, children become kind are generous by sharing what they have with other children who may have nothing. The act of sharing and being kind improves their relation in the society, especially among the different social backgrounds. When a child understands to solve problems and issues, the gain the best decision-making skills. The skills help in growth and development and are applied in the future years of growth. 

Physical Environment in Child Care

The physical environment also has a direct and positive impact on the young and developing children (Harkness, 2011). Every environment must be well designed to support growth and development of a toddler. When there is a positive physical environment, children become focused and are able to create strong building relations. A child is also able to create a sense of security in the area of play by choosing the environment that they are comfortable. For example, children from a specific age group feel comfortable playing together hence creating a good social environment among themselves. The environment in which a child is brought up is very crucial since it makes a great significance in child’s development. Thus, the environment at home or at school must be appropriate for physical growth, social, emotional and cognitive growth and development. 

The society must take into consideration some key factors when coming up with caregiving environment. The environment must be safe from harm from the young age of growth to when the child is mature enough to protect themselves (Harkness, 2011). The caretaker whether it is the parent or the teacher must ensure that there are no electrical wire breakages. Also, the walking should be clear with no obstructions especially for a toddler who is learning to walk. The play areas should be fenced, and the guardian should ensure that the playmates are not strangers. It is also advisable to have safety equipment for playing and have a first aid kit in cases of emergencies. 

Health is also a very major factor in the provision of a good physical environment (Harkness, 2011). Children must be taught the importance of hygiene by making sure that they wash their hands before eating. It is also important to introduce other cleaning procedures to the children during growth. There should be maximum hygiene in the different areas of the environment, especially during feeding. 

The physical environment should be comfortable and be of conducive environment. There should be a comfortable sofa and bed for the children since it is something they will be using each day at their stages of growth. 

The playing and physical environment of the child must be convenient with ease of access. Many areas in the house are usually out of reach, and it is important for the parents to provide accessible places for both the children and the adults in the house. For example, sinks and washrooms may be out of reach thus there should be alternative using equipment for the toddlers (Harkness, 2011). Toys should also be kept a safe area and ease of reach for the children. 

All equipment used should be made depending on the size of the child especially the very young toddlers. It is possible to make furniture’s that can be comfortably used by the toddlers. The child-sized equipment improves the level of comfortability for the children during the process of learning. 

Flexibility is also a major factor in creating a physical environment for the children. The education program should be flexible to meet needs of the different toddlers. Growing kids should have schedules that will be used as a guide in their upbringing especially when there is a helper (Harkness, 2011). The flexibility level involves the time to eat, play, go out with friends and time to read. 

The environment for toddlers should be free from blockages and should have enough space for the child to crawl, lay, climb, and explore different areas. The toddlers should also have priorities to make choices such as choosing to eat a certain quantity of food. 

Conclusion 

Play is critical and essential in the growth and development process of a child and should start at birth. Parents should encourage their children to play and be interactive with their fellow toddlers. The level of socialization increases when children play since they are able to share thoughts and ideas. The society must contribute to children development processes by educating them, encouraging them to play, and supporting them in decision making. The development process in support of parents and teachers helps to create a positive bond that will last forever. 

Play allows children to develop their dexterity, imagination as well as emotional, cognitive and physical strength. Play is also important in the development of a healthy brain. Play also allows children to interact and engage at early stages with the world around them as well as learn new skills, master agility and explore new things at their own pace and in their own way. It is through play that children also learn about leadership skills by either directing the action or by following the leader. Play starts at infancy and ideally continues throughout life. Play is how our children learn how to think, socialize, solve problems, mature as well as learn how to have fun. A parent’s involvement in a child’s play is not only beneficial to the child but to the parent as well. This is because when parents are involved in playing with children, it establishes and strengthens bonds that are meant to last forever. Parent and child plat opens the doors for increased communication, teaching and problem solving, sharing of values as well as allowing the parent to view the world through the eyes of the child. 

References

Bodrova, E. & Leong D. (2005). The importance of play, why children need to play . Early Childhood Today, 20 (3), 6-7. 

Davis, J.; Elliott, S. (2003). Early Childhood Environmental Education: Making it Mainstream. Canberra: Early Childhood Australia.

Davis, J.; Gibson, M. 2006. Embracing Complexity: Creating Cultural Change through Education for Sustainability. International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management, 6 (2), 92-102.

Fox, J. E. (2008). Back-to-Basics: Play in Early Childhood . Extelligence Learning Corporation. Early Childhood News. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=240

Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bond . Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics, 119 (1), 183-185.

Harkness, K. (2011, February 24). The importance of physical environment in childcare. The Record News. Retrieved from http://www.troyrecord.com/article/TR/20110224/NEWS/302249961