K2D43 The Importance Of Play

Aspects of children’s development

K2D43 - The Importance Of Play

Why is the role of play important in development?

• Improves language and communication skills extending vocabulary.
• Produces outcomes such as sharing, taking turns and cooperation.
• Improves hand to eye co-ordination.
• Improves eye to foot co-ordination in physical play.
• Develops self confidence and self esteem.
• Reinforces early reading skills.
• Develops interaction and socialising skills.
• Learning through new experiences.
• Extends creative and imaginative development.
• Children become more independent.

What types of play do you provide for the children in your setting?

• Role play (home corner).
• Dressing up.
• Cooking.
• Painting, drawing, modelling and sticking.
• Outdoor physical play, climbing, stepping stones, crates, barrels, Wendy house, hoops, sand pit, gardening, balls and bikes.
• Water play.
• Puzzles.
• Dancing, singing and rhyming.
• Bricks, mobilo construction cubes and lego.
• Trains and tracks, cars and garages.
• Animals and logs.
• Dolls house.
• Play loft.
• Story books and audio books.
• Simple computer programmes.

How do you ensure that your setting provides the different types of play?

• By ensuring that the correct supervision is in place.
• Creating different activities for children to free play that would involve minimal adult intervention.
• Having structured play by controlling the resources available and participating in the play.

What may you have to take into consideration?

• Ensuring they have age related games.
• Any special needs.
• Safety of the children.
• Abilities of the children.
• Individual child’s needs.
• Expectation of the activities.

How do you do this?

• Planning daily activities.
• Planning themed topics.
• Safety and supervision of children.

You may find these resources useful when completing the course.

This post is part of the 203 Support Childrens Development • NVQ Level 2 section, which forms the Childcare Learning And Development website.