Child's Play
The Importance of Play for Babies
“Play reduces stress,
improves life, and increases creativity. Who doesn’t want that?
— Stevanne Averbach, Dr. Toy
Pregnancy can be all consuming, and when you add to it a job, taking care of a home, or the raising of older children, it can amount to overwhelming. While you shuttle to and from doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds, and childbirth classes, you focus on the health and welfare of your child and yourself up until the delivery. A few far-sighted mothers-to-be may begin to ponder childcare or even college educations; however, few of us--myself included—address exactly how we will meet each of our future child’s basic needs. The latest research shows that among such basic necessities as food, water, shelter, and love is play. Play is crucial to both the cognitive and physical development of children, and its absence (i.e. play deprivation) can have negative and long lasting effects.
While as parents we may consider such necessities as food, water, shelter and love “no-brainers” it is important that we don’t treat play in the same way. Play will not simply take care of itself. As our society becomes increasingly reliant on technology for learning, communication, and entertainment, we cannot allow it to be the only platform for these activities. While infants and children can be engaged by videos and technology based toys, they do not provide the same multi-faceted stimulation and developmentally essential experiences that more traditional games, toys, music, and imagination provide. It is only natural to want the best for your children; however the best does not always mean purchasing the most expensive technologically advanced kid-gadget on the market. Play has an essential role in building social skills and communication, creativity and problem solving. Allowing our children to participate in self-directed, unstructured free play may be the best developmental tool we can give them.
BENEFITS OF PLAY:
Play deprivation occurs in part for the want of safe, developmentally appropriate spaces. These spaces include homes, backyards, parks, indoor play spaces, and just about anywhere where children can experience voluntary, spontaneous, engaging play—where they can move into the world of pretend. The adult role in play is to provide a safe environment, to provide the equipment, and to play with their child when asked. As parents we need to let children figure things out for themselves. We need to create a tolerance for error. We need to let them fail, reducing the expectation that they must be perfect. By doing so, we foster decision making, memory development and the thinking skills necessary for childhood success in the classroom and adult success in the workplace. No group is immune to play deprivation. It does not target race, religion, or socio-economic status and its consequences are catastrophic. Some effects of play deprivation have been identified as increased aggression and violence, anti-social behavior, repressing of emotions, learning disorders, and obesity.
As your due date approaches, you will be inundated with advertisements for every baby product on the market. Keep in mind that one of the best things you can do is get your infant away from the television, out of the bouncy seat, swing, or stroller and on to the floor. This is a cost friendly, invaluable experience where infants begin to explore and learn about the world around them.