Why Children Need To Play

Why do children need to play? Free play vs. Structure work in early childhood settings. Many individuals (educators included) would say, play is not important for children, that playing teaches children nothing. Many individuals argue that teachers use free time as a free ticket to not teach children. Often, parent’s ague by asking “why do my children need to come to school just to play, why aren’t teachers teaching my child?’ In this debate, we will dig a little deeper to see what play is for children. Play may seem like all fun and games, but there is much more to play than what we see on the surface. Play is simple to do, but hard to explain. Often play is thought of as a list of activities, it is much more. Per Weber’s Dictionary of the …show more content…
There are different types of play that allow children to grow and learn. Even though there are different types of play they often overlap each other. Each area of play is important for a child to grow and learn developmentally. Dramatic play allows children to use their creativity and imagination to be someone else (often a story book character, or princess). It is healthy for children to use their imagination and creativity. Manipulative play allows children to use their hands and fingers to build or piece things together (usually puzzles, beads, blocks, small toys). Manipulative play allows children to use objects in different ways. It increases their cognitive and problem solving skills. Physical play is anything that is getting a child active. Using the whole body to get moving. This type of play has multiple pros; mental and physical growth, fitness, health, while it still being fun. Creative play is the messy part of play! Creative play allows children to use paint, glue, scissors, crayons, markers, or anything other material they may think of to make their very own masterpiece! Creative play allows children to express themselves through art. Creative play allows children to show off their work which then boost their social/emotional skills. They are proud of what they have made. (Staff,