5 Reasons to Prioritise Playing With Your Child

Playing with your child is one of those things we often take for granted. How often do we say that our children are “just” playing? But play is how children learn about the world around them.

Here are 5 reasons why play is important for your child’s development.

1: Playing with your child helps build communication skills

Your child learns how to express themselves when they play. They can role-play different situations and learn ways to communicate with their friends and adults.

By playing games, children use their imaginations and think creatively. They make connections between different ideas and solve problems. This all helps them become better communicators.

Ideas for communication games:

• • Storytelling

• • Role-play activities

• • Board games, like Scrabble or Pictionary

• • Traditional games like Simon Says or Follow the Leader

2: Playing creates connection

Playing together gives us time to talk, express our feelings, and become closer as a family. You can build strong connections with your child and better understand their interests and emotions when you play together.