Benefits of Play

Children and playing seems to go hand and hand but do you know how vitally important it is?  Playing benefits both the special needs child and the typically developing child.  Adults and children need brain breaks and so many positive learning opportunities take place even when the brain is on break!  Recent studies have been conducted that show children do better when given frequent opportunities to play.  In fact, several local school districts have recently been highlighted for their role in providing children with additional play time.  Play directly affects the development of children in sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional development.  A child with special needs is a still child with the same desires and needs as his typically developing peers.  All individuals benefit from regular physical activity.  However, children with special needs especially benefit in ways that one may take for granted in typically developing peers.  Being active has many benefits.

Playing is the way children learn about themselves and the world around them.  Children with special needs may require activity breaks so they can focus or attend to instruction in the classroom.  For example, some children who have difficulty focusing for extended periods (such as a child with ADHD) may benefit from planned movement incorporated into his or her day.  Some children due to the nature of their disability may require additional instruction in the area of social skills.  For these children, play time can be a component of (but not a substitute for) social skills training.  In fact, play time can provide an opportunity for a child to implement new skills and for the school to track progress.  If your child has goals to address gross motor skills, be sure to complement these goals with daily, active playtime and movement, and see her make improvements.  Removing recess time as a consequence for poor classroom choices is counterproductive.  Giving all children a chance for unstructured play may actually improve academic performance, behavior and the ability to focus on instruction.  For the disabled child, planned playtime may help him master important social skills and behavioral goals, provide opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills, increase self-esteem, build critical executive function skills, and allow a kid to just be a kid.  Let the children, all children PLAY!!!

Emotional Benefits	·         enjoyment ·         fun ·         love of life ·         laughter ·         relaxation ·         release of energy ·         tension reduction ·         self-expression ·         works through emotions ·         helps to cope with stress ·         reduction of depression ·         regulating emotions
Cognitive Benefits	·         creativity ·         abstract thinking ·         social cognition ·         mastering new concepts ·         empathy ·         imagination ·         problem-solving ·         perspective taking
Affective Development Benefits	·         self-confidence ·         self-esteem ·         therapeutic effects ·         anxiety reduction ·         social responsibility ·         ethical behaviors
Social Development Benefits	·         self-advocacy ·         cooperation ·         leadership skill development ·         aids in impulse control ·         helps decrease aggressive behavior ·         conflict resolution ·         sharing ·         negotiating skills ·         turn-taking ·         building friendships
Physical Development Benefits	·         self-help skills ·         physical challenges ·         gross motor skills ·         fine motor skills ·         endurance ·         muscle strength ·         coordination ·         builds flexibility ·         cardiovascular efficiency ·         balance ·         body awareness ·         being active improves quality of sleep
Attention Development Benefits	·         increases concentration ·         persistence ·         attention regulation
Language Development Benefits	·         increases vocabulary ·         increases communication skills ·         language submersion ·         story telling ·         emergent literacy ·         social language development
Academic Benefits	·         allows children to retain what they have   learned ·         allows for practice skills ·         provides opportunities for collaborative learning with adults and peers ·         encourages children to experiment and take risks ·       provides a meaningful context for children to learn concepts and skills ·        makes learning fun and enjoyable ·       encourages children to explore and discover together and on their own ·         increases on-task behavior ·         increases attention span during lessons ·         increases level of correct responding ·         increases academic growth