Why Play Is Important – Experience the Fun at the J. Douglas Williams YMCA

WHY PLAY IS IMPORTANT:

• Play is fundamentally important for children's development- fostering cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Through play, children learning about the world around them, develop essential skills, and build a foundation for future learning and relationships.

10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play

1. Play provides endless opportunities for children to hear and

explore the power of their voice, and practice using new and

familiar sounds and words.

2. Play stimulates cognitive development; it supports language

development, enhances problem-solving skills, and

encourages creativity.

3. Play unlocks opportunities for children to practice their home

language(s) and encounter new words.

4. Play removes barriers; it is inclusive and accessible to all. All

forms of communication support play, including facial

expression, body language, signing, touch, eye contact, and

speech.

5. Play supports a variety of skills, physical, gross, and fine

motor, which will also support writing. Active play promotes

muscle development, develops imagination, and communication

6. Play enables children to practice, revisit, and embed deeper

learning through experimentation and repetition.

7. Play facilitates natural curiosity, enabling children to make

connections, understand what is seen, heard, and experienced

in their world.

8. Play enables children to develop independence, perseverance,

and turn-taking skills, supporting them to negotiate and build

relationships.

9. Play provides a safe space for children to explore and learn

to manage their feelings, helping them to build resilience and

develop empathy towards others.

10. Play fosters a love for learning, develops imagination, and

helps children grasp concepts in a fun way.

Experience all the fun and learning at The YMCA in our Play Center,  Holiday, Spring Break, and SummerCamps, and
Parents’ Night Out programs. For more information, visit us at https://www.facebook.com/jdouglaswilliamsymca/