“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” - Walt Disney
Have you ever noticed how much more focused your child is after they’ve had a break to play with their toys or friends?
This isn't accidental! Play is crucial for children’s development. It helps them learn emotional intelligence (EI) and problem-solving skills, and even improves their academic performance.
The Challenge of Changing Play
Although most children engage in traditional forms of play, like using their imagination or playing with toys, this activity often declines before the age of 10. As children grow, they begin to build a stronger connection with technology. As parents, we must encourage our children to use their imagination and play games with friends for as long as possible.
Have you ever noticed how much more focused your child is after they’ve had a break to play with their toys or friends?
This isn't accidental! Play is crucial for children’s development. It helps them learn emotional intelligence (EI) and problem-solving skills, and even improves their academic performance.
The Challenge of Changing Play
Although most children engage in traditional forms of play, like using their imagination or playing with toys, this activity often declines before the age of 10. As children grow, they begin to build a stronger connection with technology. As parents, we must encourage our children to use their imagination and play games with friends for as long as possible.
Building Essential Soft Skills Through Play
The simple act of playing is fundamental to developing the soft skills and self-confidence youth need to thrive today.
Improved Emotional Intelligence
Children explore their emotions and feelings through play. They may project how they’re feeling onto their toys or into their drawings. When playing with friends their own age, they learn how to navigate somebody else’s feelings and regulate their own.
Play requires children to regulate their own behavior, making it a significant factor in developing self-regulation skills. When your child explores their feelings in a pressure-free environment, they will be better able to calm themselves down before a meltdown and better able to empathize with others.
Strengthening Social Ties
For children, one of the best ways to create and strengthen social ties is through unstructured free time to play with their friends, like recess. Recess does more than allow children to “blow off steam” during the school day. The social interaction that occurs during these breaks facilitates learning, boosts social competence, and is correlated with improved school success.
Boosting Reading and Writing
Around the age of nine, children naturally start playing with their language skills, both verbally and through written communication. This language play is useful for generally improving reading and writing skills, and it is specifically useful to significantly enhance a child’s understanding of the structure of words.
The simple act of playing is fundamental to developing the soft skills and self-confidence youth need to thrive today.
Improved Emotional Intelligence
Children explore their emotions and feelings through play. They may project how they’re feeling onto their toys or into their drawings. When playing with friends their own age, they learn how to navigate somebody else’s feelings and regulate their own.
Play requires children to regulate their own behavior, making it a significant factor in developing self-regulation skills. When your child explores their feelings in a pressure-free environment, they will be better able to calm themselves down before a meltdown and better able to empathize with others.
Strengthening Social Ties
For children, one of the best ways to create and strengthen social ties is through unstructured free time to play with their friends, like recess. Recess does more than allow children to “blow off steam” during the school day. The social interaction that occurs during these breaks facilitates learning, boosts social competence, and is correlated with improved school success.
Boosting Reading and Writing
Around the age of nine, children naturally start playing with their language skills, both verbally and through written communication. This language play is useful for generally improving reading and writing skills, and it is specifically useful to significantly enhance a child’s understanding of the structure of words.
Examples of language play include:
While you may find yourself gritting your teeth after hearing a nursery rhyme repeated for the tenth time, this type of play can significantly improve a child’s literacy skills.
Practical Parenting Tips to Encourage Play
Age 8 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
- Telling jokes
- Using metaphors
- Repeating sounds, such as rhymes, chants, or songs
While you may find yourself gritting your teeth after hearing a nursery rhyme repeated for the tenth time, this type of play can significantly improve a child’s literacy skills.
Practical Parenting Tips to Encourage Play
Age 8 to 12
- Encourage Problem-Solving with “Play Box Challenges:” Create a "Play Box" filled with items like art supplies, costumes, toys, or random objects. Set up weekly challenges for your child, such as making up a story based on a random item from the box, or acting out a skit using the objects.
- Allow Unstructured Playdates: Schedule unstructured playdates or outdoor time with friends where the children choose what they would like to do without adult interference (safely).
- Join in with Language Play: Have fun with tongue twisters, jokes, and creating silly metaphors! Play a rhyming or word association game during car rides.
Ages 13 to 16
- Use Creative Expression to Foster Emotional Intelligence: Encourage your teen to explore their emotions through art, music, photography, or journaling.
- Make Your Home the Hangout Spot: Encourage your teen to invite friends over regularly and go the extra mile to organize casual hangouts or game nights.
- Encourage Imagination: Teens aren't too old for imagination, even if they might think they are. Purchase activities that allow teens to use their creativity, like this Daily Doodle Journal.
Unlock Your Child's Full Potential
Play is the natural pathway for youth to build the soft skills, confidence, and self-regulation needed to thrive in today's world. Ready to dive deeper into Emotional Intelligence and Leadership development?
Join the LeadYouth community!
Book a one-on-one session or explore our focused online courses today to reinforce these vital skills and help your child navigate big feelings and social challenges. Share this message with another parent or educator who needs this powerful reminder!
Book a one-on-one session or explore our focused online courses today to reinforce these vital skills and help your child navigate big feelings and social challenges. Share this message with another parent or educator who needs this powerful reminder!
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