Why Play is Important in a Child's Life?

When we say children are just playing, they are actually learning a lot and developing a lot. Free play boosts physical and psychological development. By free play I mean play which does not include video games or organized play like being on a soccer or basketball team.  Free play encourages a child's imagination, boosts creativity, and teaches spontaneity. When children play with other kids they are learning fundamental social skills like sharing, taking turns, co-operation, collaboration and getting along. They also learn essential skills like leadership, working with others, problem solving and communication skills. Children express their feelings through play and also learn to cope with their feelings through play. Children develop language skills through play.
However cliche' it may sound,  the truth is that in today's fast paced world, we are forgetting the importance of free play. Sometimes the parents are so much focused on engaging the child in organized learning activities like music lessons, sports and academics that 'free time to play whatever the child wants' is forgotten. What ever free time the children have is spent watching TV or playing video games. We are loosing a sight of the most important developmental tool in early childhood- free play.

 Please remember-

When I am playing dress-up
I am doing role play; putting myself in someone else's shoes,
When I am running around
I am getting stronger,
When I am scribbling on the paper
I am developing fine motor skills,
When I am playing with the play-dough
I am being creative,
When I am playing doll-house
I am trying to make sense of  relationships,
When I am playing hide and seek
I am trusting myself and others,
When I am playing a board game
I am learning logic
So just let me play..

For more information please visit
http://www.naeyc.org/play
http://www.education.com/reference/article/importance-play--social-emotional/

Garry Landreth

What is the most important about children can be learned only from children.
 -  Garry Landreth


Garry Landreth is known world-wide for his Child Centered Play Therapy. Landreth defines play therapy as -
"A dynamic interpersonal relationship between a child and a therapist who provides selected play materials and facilitates the development of a safe relationship for the child to fully express and explore self ( feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviors) through play, the child's natural medium of communication, for optimal growth and development."

This theory is based on the basic principal that a child is a person, who given a safe environment and opportunity always drives towards self-actualization. The child's behavior must be understood through his phenomenal field; child's experiences, feelings and thoughts. The therapist provides warm and caring relationship which is non-judgmental. The therapist accepts the child as is. History of the problem, diagnosis and goals are not important in the child-centered play therapy. The focus is on the child and the child always leads the way.

Objectives of the child-centered play therapy-
To help the child

1. Develop a more positive self-concept
2. Assume greater self-responsibility
3. Become more self-directing
4. Become more self-accepting
5. Become more self-reliant
6. Engage in self-determined decision making
7. Experience a feeling of control
8. Become sensitive to the process of coping
9. Develop an internal source of evaluation
10. Become more trusting of self

Virginia Axline

Virginia Axline is the pioneer of non-directive Play Therapy for children. Her therapy is based on Carl Roger’s person centered therapy. In her famous book, Dibs: In Search of Self (1964), Virginia Axline states,” The therapeutic value of this kind of psychotherapy is based on the child experiencing himself as capable, responsible person in a relationship that tries to communicate to him two basic rules: that no one ever really knows as much about any human being’s inner world as does the individual himself; and that responsible freedom grows and develops from inside the person.”  Through the play therapy a child learns self- respect and self-responsibility which directs him towards respecting others.

Virginia Axline’s basic principles of Play Therapy consists of the following-

·         Complete acceptance of the child

·         Play is natural language of children and the main avenue of expressing their thoughts and feelings

·         Children try to understand and solve their problems through play

·         Child leads the way in the therapy

·         Therapy is progressed at the child’s pace.

·         The therapist responds in a non-directive way to facilitate growth and understanding

·         Strong therapeutic relationship based on warmth and positive regard for the child is essential for achieving change.

·         The therapist meets the children at their emotional level. Therapist has respect for the child’s ability to solve problems.

·         Therapist provides a safe and secure environment for a child to explore his/her feelings and emotions.