February 2024 Parenta magazine_compressed

Dr. Kathryn Peckham
In this article, taken from the course of the
same name at the Nurturing Childhoods
Academy, we are going to be reminding
ourselves of the deep-rooted importance
of play and how we can support all adults
in a child’s life to prioritise this invaluable
activity. But first let me ask, how can
something that seems like the simplest,
most natural thing in the world be so
fraught with issues? It all seems so easy
when you watch children at it!
Whether a child is looking up at you
dressed in fairy wings, wanting you to
chase them around the garden or to play
endless rounds of their current favourite
game, as an adult it can all seem a little
daunting. How do you emerge yourself in
Let’s get ready
to play… wait,
what now?
their world of make-believe? How do you
know what to do, to say and how to act?
More and more parents and practitioners
come to me concerned that they simply
don’t know how to play. Could this be a
sign of a more sedentary, technologyinfused
childhood or the impact of moving
away from extended families and no
longer being surrounded by nieces,
nephews and young cousins? Or is it that
as adults, we become too concerned with
how we are perceived by others and forget
the liberating freedoms of play?
Engaging in genuine play with children
is not only an immensely enjoyable
way to spend your time, but it also
carries tremendous benefits for a
child’s emotional, cognitive and social
development, building relationships
and establishing the attachments that
significantly contribute to their overall
well-being. However, in today’s fast-paced
world, parents and practitioners can
often find themselves juggling multiple
responsibilities and commitments.
Amongst the hustle and bustle of daily
life, it’s crucial to remind them of the
significance of spending quality time
playing. As you support all the adults in
a child’s life, let us remind ourselves why
we must all set aside dedicated time for
play. And as we embrace our inner child,
watch as we all flourish in the special
connections we share.
☑ Building strong bonds
Playing with children serves as
a powerful bonding experience,
providing an opportunity to connect
on an emotional level as you foster
trust and a sense of security. As you
play together you demonstrate to
children that they are valued and
loved, strengthening your relationship
as you build healthy attachments
and enhance their self-esteem and
confidence
☑ Promoting cognitive development
As you play, you naturally develop
children’s cognitive skills, engaging
their problem-solving, critical thinking
and decision-making abilities as
you explore the world around them.
Participating in activities that naturally
include creativity, spatial awareness,
or logical reasoning such as building
blocks, puzzles or imaginative play
stimulates their development in ways
more profound than any digital app
☑ Enhancing social skills
As you play together, you facilitate the
development of their social skills and
lay the groundwork for positive social
interactions. Through cooperative
play, children learn how to negotiate,
compromise, and take turns. Through
shared play experiences, they
develop empathy, compassion, and
an understanding of social cues, all
of which are vital for building and
maintaining relationships throughout
their lives
☑ Language and communication
development
Whether it’s engaging in pretend
play, storytelling or engaging in
conversation, play provides an
excellent platform for children
to develop and enhance their
language and communication
skills in meaningful ways. By
actively participating in their play,
you can support their vocabulary
development, sentence structure and
communication abilities
☑ Emotional regulation and stress
relief
Play also allows children to express
and process their emotions in safe
and healthy ways. Whether through
dramatic play or engaging in physical
activities, play helps children release
excess energy and reduces stress.
It also provides an outlet for them
to explore and understand complex
emotions, and to develop effective
emotional regulation strategies
We know that play is not simply about
fun but also an essential component of
children’s growth and well-being, fostering
their holistic development and allowing
them to experience the joy and wonder
of childhood. It is also the most significant
and deeply felt way we have of learning
- at any age. So, let us look at how we
support all adults to confidently embrace
the power of playtime.
Firstly, consider how motivating our
environments are. Do we feel excited and
interested to explore and play? Is there
a variety of engaging toys, art supplies,
books, and puzzles along with materials
that promote open-ended play such as
cardboard boxes or blankets for building,
dressing-up costumes and simple
household items? Is the space organised
and accessible so that activities of interest
can be easily chosen and tidied away
afterwards? Are these periodically rotated
to maintain novelty and keep everyone’s
interest piqued?
Without careful thought, structured
activities and screens can dominate
children’s time and we must prioritise nontech,
unstructured play as an essential
part of their development. The freedom to
play without specific rules or instructions
gives children the opportunity to follow
their interests and passions, fostering a
sense of autonomy and self-expression.
However, in today’s digital age, excessive
screen time may be hindering children’s
motivation to engage in more self-driven
forms of play, so look at how you infuse
their play with independent thinking,
decision-making and problem-solving
opportunities.
Children learn so much by example, so
show your enthusiasm as you follow their
imagination, demonstrating that play is
not just for children, but a great activity for
everyone. Strengthen your bond as you
actively participate and celebrate in their
play. Provide positive reinforcement and
praise for their creativity, their problemsolving
abilities and persistence. Take a
genuine interest in their playtime activities,
asking open-ended questions and
engaging in meaningful conversations as
you boost their confidence and motivation
to explore.
So whether you are a parent, practitioner
or family worker, join me at the Nurturing
Childhoods Academy where you can
access training, listen to talks and join a
community of practitioners, parents and
professionals working with children and
the families that nurture them.
Scan here for
more resources
from Kathryn:
20 February 2024 | parenta.com
parenta.com | February 2024 21