Learning & development: Play - Play is what I do

The study of play takes us deeper into the realms of cognitive psychology and social learning, but play is also about physical development and becoming a skilled language user. We could add that it is about learning games with rules, or that it is about fantasy and imagination. Or that it is about running around, climbing, rough and tumble, fun and mucking about. Certainly play can incorporate all of these things and more, so it is important to find a helpful starting point or model into which all of these things can be placed and threaded together.

Play can be seen to fulfil functions in the physical, emotional/social, cognitive/linguistic and imaginative/creative domains of development. The activity of young children involves them developing skills in using their bodies, promoting strength, co-ordination and agility. It involves them forming relationships with close special people as well as taking part in groups, learning how to make friends, be sociable, share and take turns. In this way they develop an understanding of others and learn to feel empathy, responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others. They become confident, eager to try new things and explore their environment.