Kids love to play.
It's a fact.
Take them to school and they'll soon be running around with the other children laughing their heads off.
Most of us think that this play time is all about pleasure and having a bit of fun.
However, play can be crucial in the proper development of your child.
Read on to find out why.
Play encourages interaction This is the primary benefit of play.
Humans are social beings.
There is rarely a situation in our lives when we are in solitude.
At work, we have to associate with colleagues.
At home, we have to associate with family.
In our own time, we often choose to associate with friends.
All of these situations require interaction.
So if a child learns how to interact and socialise at a young age, then they are learning valuable life skills at the same time.
It teaches them values This is also a massive benefit of play.
If they are playing amongst themselves, then the chances are arguments can happen.
However, when arguments do happen they'll often run to an adult to resolve them.
It is also highly likely that their play will be supervised, by either a parent at home or a teacher at school.
Therefore, play can be great at reinforcing their behaviour, whether it is encouraging them to share or telling them not to make fun of others.
You can subtly teach your kids core values and morals through the medium of play, and they won't even realise you're doing it.
It prompts exercise Getting your kids into a healthy lifestyle when they are young is great for shaping their exercise of the future.
You don't need to be told that illnesses such as heart disease and obesity are on the rise.
The prime cause of these afflictions is due to a lack of exercise.
Play can be great for facilitating a good work out to get the blood pumping.
It's always worth encouraging your child to take part in sports at school or other active practices.
You'll be helping them now and for the future.
It boosts creativity Creativity can open the doors to many exciting lifestyles.
But above that, it encourages active thinking and engages the mind.
Children are creative powerhouses if given the freedom to express themselves.
Give them a cardboard box and they'll soon turn it into a ship that sails the ocean, a medieval fortress, or a spaceship flying through the galaxies.
This type of play is a creative gift that they can transfer to other areas of their lives.
It can especially help with problem solving tasks and school performance.