Why Is Play Important?

Here at Close to Home Childcare Center and Preschool we know the importance of incorporating play within our curriculum. The American Academy of Pediatrics states” Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.”

Sometimes parents want to understand the importance of unstructured time and what are the benefits.

As children play together, they learn about each other. This is the time they learn to interact with peers and develop their social skills. Along with this time they learn self-regulation and how to control their behavior and emotions as they interact with people their own age. Additionally, this is the time for problem solving both for social and analytical solving. At our daycare, you might find a child building a tower with blocks and another child asking questions or wanting to help. They might start building it together. Analytical problem solving occurs when they want to figure out a different way to make it taller.

Out of the box thinking plays a huge role in developing creative thinking. We want to make sure we are helping you to prepare your child to be creative thinkers by providing them the time to think differently. During play time at our daycare we will give them the resources to be creative and more importantly encourage it! We love hearing funny stories that the children make up and act out. Just know your child will be encouraged to have the freedom of expression here at Close to Home Childcare Center and Preschool.

Parents will give their child a step above the others by just taking time to play. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Play offers the opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.” So, let a box become a car, a straw becomes a wand, etc. and most importantly enjoy the time with your child. We love hearing how a story they started at school continues at home and vice versa. Let’s Play!