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By Marijke Huybrechts, Speech & Language Therapist, MoH/VSOIf you think back to your childhood, some of your fondest childhood memories may include time spent engaging in play. And those simple activities are also probably the ones that taught you some of the most valuable life lessons.That’s why it is important for us to encourage our own children to also play on a regular basis.Play is not just fun for children. It is fundamental. Play is a key to a child’s learning and development. Play is a child’s work. It is so important to optimal child development that it had been recognised by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.So what exactly is “play”?It has been defined in a variety of ways, but generally includes an activity that is enjoyed by the child, is self-motivated, is freely chosen or encouraged, is engaging and holds interest, and allows a child to learn about and make connections to the world around him.Through play, children develop the foundations they’ll need to succeed in life, from problem solving and social skills to basic literacy,Devonta Freeman Falcons Jersey UK, math and science. There are so many concepts that young children are just beginning to grasp, they’re learning how to explore, and play is an integral part of that.How to encourage your child’s play?Problem solving skills are essential for social and academic success. Toys like jack-in-the-boxes and busy boxes are naturals for teaching about cause-and-effect relationships.More “open-ended” objects like empty boxes, bowls,Rocky Bleier Steelers Jersey UK, and stacking cups provide opportunities for young children to explore size and volume and to manipulate objects in different ways. You can encourage problem solving activities using simple, everyday objects.Take some clear plastic containers with lids,Carnell Lake Steelers Jersey UK, for example, fill them with brightly colored objects, and then let your child observe the action inside. Problem solving is also crucial for healthy social development, and children can only learn positive social skills by playing with others.Parents can help by offering children tools to navigate emotionally-charged areas like sharing and hurt feelings, then stepping back and allowing them to resolve issues on their own.Play is also essential when it comes to language learning. Talking and singing with your children, and playing games involving rhyming words and silly sounds all lead to a love of language and a clear understanding of what language is. But the best way to teach your child about language is simply by engaging them in meaningful conversations.Pretend play also helps develop essential reading skills. Teaching reading is about unlocking symbolic language. In play,Heath Miller Steelers Jersey UK, children are using symbolic language. When they pretend that a block cylinder is a bottle of soda and they’re going to drink from it, that’s a symbol of something, and once children understand symbols, then they can start to understand that letters stand for a word and that a printed word stands for something they understand.And don’t forget that books can be wonderful play objects. Read to your children daily, but give them books to play with, too. Even babies can hold and mouth board books; before you know it they’ll be opening the books and turning pages. Fill your house with engaging, age-appropriate books,Greg Lloyd Steelers Jersey UK, whether new,Joe Gilliam Steelers Jersey UK, used,Aaron Rodgers Packers Jersey UK, or borrowed from the library. Encourage children to “read” to their dolls or stuffed animals.And let them see you read. There’s no better teacher than a good role model.Encourage your children to play with writing, too. Provide paper in a variety of colors and sizes as well as age-appropriate writing instruments (crayons, washable markers, chalk, and pencils for older children).Keep the supplies accessible and encourage your children to express themselves through art and writing. Not only will they have fun, they’ll develop creativity, confidence,Ernie Stautner Steelers Jersey UK, communication skills,Brian Poole Falcons Jersey UK, and fine motor skills.Another really important part of play that sometimes gets is unstructured play. This is really where children learn to explore, learn to imagine, and learn to get along with other children. Let your child take the lead when it comes to play. Try not to push children into playing with the toys you think are most appropriate. Give your child license to think outside the box.Don’t let them feel obligated to play with toys or other objects only the way they are intended. Let your child come up with new uses for things.That’s not to say you shouldn’t play with your child. But when you do join in your child’s play, let them take the lead. Be enthusiastic about your child’s ideas. Children develop healthy self-esteem when parents respect their imaginary play and allow them to be in charge for a change.