Play is essential for babies and children as it supports their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Through play, children explore the world, build problem-solving skills, and learn to navigate social interactions. It’s how they express creativity, develop motor skills, and gain a sense of independence. Play also strengthens the bond between children and caregivers, fostering a sense of security and love that is crucial for their overall well-being.
That’s Total Mom Sense has partnered with Bright Horizons to bring you a special podcast series called, “Play Matters” with Bright Horizons. Visit the links below to learn more!
On this episode, Claire Goss, Child Education Expert and Senior Manager of Family and Client Support at Bright Horizons, shares her insights on exploring the world of play. She shares about guided and free play, parallel play during the younger years, and the specific benefits of play.
Show Notes
Kanika (TTMS): Today we’re going to talk about Exploring the World of Play. But it’s important we grasp it as a concept from the very beginning. Claire, please tell us – what is play?
Claire (BH):
- There are lots of types of play! Researchers generally categorize play into two types
- Free Play (child-directed play) is fun, active, meaningful, socially interactive, has no extrinsic goals, and can contain an element of make-believe, etc.
- Guided play is also interactive and meaningful, but it is a planned play environment where the adult is the facilitator of learning. The child has autonomy, and the adult is there for guidance. Guided play can be used to reach specific learning goals.
Kanika (TTMS): When our kids started daycare, we learned about parallel play. I found this to be so interesting. Infants and toddlers are not quick to interact with kids their age. They’ll just play side by side. Can you explain why?
Claire (BH): Play in the early toddler years is very solitary, simply because kids don’t yet have the verbal or social skills to play together. Even though it may not look like much is happening during parallel play, there’s still a lot of learning going on. Toddlers are hearing language and observing (sometimes copying) their peers.
Kanika (TTMS): What are the specific benefits of play?
Claire (BH): During play children learn to make decisions, think critically, overcome obstacles and challenges, try ideas, regulate themselves, and build communication skills – the list is endless!
PRESS PLAY
Kanika: As we wrap, we’d like to end on a fun note called PRESS PLAY. Claire, what’s one takeaway you’d like to leave our audience with on Exploring the World of Play.
Claire (BH): There are so many different types and ways to play—and they are all helping your child learn the skills they’ll need to succeed in the future!
Kanika (TTMS): Thank you for your insights today! We’re looking forward to our next segment of Play Matters with Bright Horizons where we will focus on the power of play. Thanks for listening.
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