Let's Play

There’s a lot to be said about the value of play and playfulness in children’s lives. Play is considered to be the most effective avenue through which children learn and grow. It has value not only in the early years but right through later childhood. In fact, many argue that playfulness is an advantageous quality for adults, particularly for those working in innovative industries.

When children are immersed in imaginative, creative, in-depth episodes of play, they are able to generate new forms of learning. It is the most effective way to learn for young children in particular, because it is effortless and enjoyable. Children have an innate disposition to both play and learn, and often it’s actually quite difficult to separate the two.

Play is therefore a particularly potent way for children to learn and it is why high-quality early childhood settings will ensure children are experiencing large blocks of uninterrupted play throughout the day. In fact, new theories of play coined the phrase ‘play based learning’, which is now commonly recognised best practice.

It is widely accepted that children’s deep learning often occurs when they are able to engage in play for extended blocks of time. This allows children to fully immerse themselves in a game, imaginative scenario or a more serious undertaking such as testing out theories.

In addition to large blocks of uninterrupted time, children’s play can be supported by a range of different resources. Spending time with your child by actually participating in the play, will enhance your child’s play experiences and scaffold your child’s learning. By engaging in the play, you will learn about your child’s interests, the materials and resources they are drawn to, and the kinds of play they engage with the most.

By playing alongside your child, you are then able to make decisions about the kinds of materials and resources that will continue to enhance and extend your child’s play, specific to their needs and interests.

It’s quite amazing how quickly children respond positively to adult involvement and interest in their play pursuits. By being present and attentive, listening to your child’s cues and following their lead, you are best placed to strengthen your relationship and connection with your child. Playfulness in families is well established in the literature as a powerful method through which strong attachments can be developed and fortified.

Resources made from natural materials that are sustainably and ethically sourced and made by reputable businesses are a great investment because they will stand the test of time as well as cater to young and older children, particularly if they are open ended. Open ended resources and materials have a range of different uses and purposes, encouraging children to use their imaginations and creativity to integrate them in their play.

A large range of attractive indoor gross motor equipment, that has been traditionally reserved for early childhood settings, is now available to parents. Sourcing a few key pieces for a playroom or bedroom can be a great way to keep active bodies busy, especially if you live in an apartment or find it difficult to access outdoor spaces regularly. In addition to being designed to foster free self-directed movement and independent play, keep an eye out for high quality gross motor equipment that meets not just sustainability and ethical benchmarks, but has also been aesthetically designed.

What often goes hand-in-hand with ethical, sustainable and natural resources and equipment for children is that they are often also designed with beauty in mind. For children’s spaces, be it their bedrooms or playrooms, to be designed with an equal consideration for beauty and aesthetics, functionality, learning, playfulness and joy, brings the final dimension of respect for children to the brief.

– Be open ended;

– Foster creative and imaginative play;

– Link with the child’s interests or preferences;

– Be made from sustainable natural materials;

– Be ethically sourced and made; and

– Be designed with beauty and aesthetics as considerations.

STYLING MADELINE MCFARLANE PHOTOGRAPHY FRANÇOISE BAUDET WORDS DR KATHRYN BOWN