What is play, and why is it important?

Play is defined as “any spontaneous or organized activity that provides enjoyment, entertainment, amusement or diversion” (Parham and Fazio, 2008, p. 448). Play is one of children’s major occupations. Play is how a child learns and occupies their free time. It is an important activity for your child because play helps positive growth and development. Play promotes physical health, social and emotional well-being, and positive mental health.

When a child plays, he or she discovers new ways to solve problems and learn skills needed to become a healthy adult. Research shows that children who play often grow quicker than those that play less, earn higher achievements in school, and form healthy habits for adulthood. A comparative study of 11,000 third graders found that those who participated in more than 15 minutes of recess per day had better behavior and were more likely to learn in the classroom than their peers who had little to no recess (Barros, Silver, & Stein, 2009). Using daily routines and activities throughout the day, encouraging the happiness and joy that can be experienced through play, and simply allowing children to be playful can enhance their health and well-being.

How can families develop play skills to promote health and well-being?

Early childhood

Play teaches infants, toddlers, and preschoolers about their bodies and about the effects of their actions on the world around them. Play promotes growth and development through movement and exploration. Family members are the child’s first playmates.

Elementary school

The elementary school years are an important time for learning to play by rules and participating in cooperative activities such as sports teams. Motor skills are being fine tuned, and there is an increased interest in developing hobbies. Play often serves as a way of developing friendships and expressing one’s unique personality. Finding a balance between formal play (e.g., participating on a sports team) and informal play (e.g., participating on the playground) allows for play time to be both active and creative.

Try these ideas to build skills and expression:

Don’t forget to keep play activities fun! If it’s not fun, it’s not play.

Middle School

The early teen years mark a time for exploring social relationships. This is teens’ form of play. Teens tend to gravitate towards group activities, such as hanging out with friends, listening to music, talking, and going out together. This time with friends allows them to gain social, movement, and mental skills; gain an understanding that they are individuals; and practice new skills in different environments without constant parental supervision. These opportunities can promote a sense of well-being and confidence. Young and older teens can also enjoy after-school activities, such as clubs (drama, music, art, and athletics) and part-time work (volunteer and paid).

High School and Beyond

During the high school years, play promotes cooperation and opportunities for teamwork. Through play, older teenagers are able to get to know themselves better and pinpoint their interests and strengths. As school and social pressures increase at the high school level and beyond, leisure activities can reduce stress, and offer a sense of belonging and a chance to develop their goals. Encourage your teen to balance homework with leisure time to promote a healthy lifestyle addressing both mental and physical wellness.

Play helps to build coordination and strength as well as creativity and social skills. Play also helps to develop emotional well-being and increases a child’s ability to explore, problem solve, and create.

Occupational therapy practitioners are important health care providers who value play in families, schools, and communities. They assess all areas of activity to promote health, growth, and development. They are skilled at observing, identifying, and developing play strategies and healthy habits for children and their families and building towards successful participation in adulthood. Occupational Therapy services help babies, children, and adolescents live life to its fullest.