Get out and play
In this digital age, it’s far too easy to let our children sit in front of screens all weekend playing video games or on their tablets. They are more than likely to kick up a real fuss when you try to take their favourite device away from them but it’s important for our children to getlots of fresh air and enjoy the freedom of play and here’s why:
- Play increases confidence and encourages imagination.
Through physical activity, children are given the chance to try new things, conquer their fears and build their confidence. It’s scientifically proven that when a child is physically active and successful in their movements, they show higher levels of self-esteem and a bigger sense of accomplishment.
Every new thing that they try takes practise and ends in reward – whether it’s trying to do a handstand for the first time or climbing to the end of the monkey bars. Once they’ve done it, their confidence grows and they are able to take on bigger, more challenging activities. For Wooden Climbing Frames, visit http://www.niclimbingframes.com/climbing-frames.
- Play develops motor and athletic skills.
Kids will develop and grow without even realizing it when they are playing. When they climb on a play equipment, they learn about co-ordination, balance and spatial relationships. When they play with a ball, they strengthen their fine-motor skills. And when they dance, they learn about rhythm and move to the beat. Children who are more physically active are more likely to participate in sports, dance, games, and other physical activities that improve muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance. Increased activity also builds up a greater resilience to fatigue.
- Playing with others teaches teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Interaction is crucial to a child’s social development. Children who get to interact with each other in a social, non-competitive environment learn about working co-operatively and trying their best whether they win or lose. In team activities everyone needs to take part in a specific role and cheer each other on, building off each other’s strengths.
- Play can help to build strong bonds between parents and children.
When parents or caregivers demonstrate how to do a physical activity or help them conquer a piece of equipment, not only are kids learning crucial physical skills, they’re also spending more quality time interacting with those adults. This works both ways of course with the grown-ups becoming more engaged in their children’s lives. When parents are actively playing with their child instead of simply observing, this really allows them to understand what their child loves most: Is it the running, the climbing frame or the football game? Play encourages you to understand your child better.
- Play makes kids happy.
Children love play the most, above pretty much everything else. It’s so crucial for their healthy development as it allows children to socialize, develop, and learn new skills while learning about themselves and others. Play provides them with the freedom to express themselves which important when most of the time they are being told what to do.
