Focus

• Play is essential to children’s learning, development, confidence and happiness.
• Play is important because it helps children develop in all areas.
• Unstructured play and structured play are the main types of play.
• As children grow, the nature of play changes.

The importance of play
Play is important for children’s learning and development. When your child plays, they are exposed to a variety of learning opportunities and experiences.

Play can also help your child:

• build self-confidence
• feel loved, happy, and secure
• learn about how the world works
• develop social, language, and communication skills
• learn to care for other people and the environment
• develop physical skills.

Play brings a variety of sensory, physical, and cognitive experiences to children. Experiences create connections in the brain that help children develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.

Different types of play: unstructured and structured
Unstructured play refers to unplanned play that occurs spontaneously and is based on the child’s interests at the time. Free play is important for young children because it allows them to use their imagination and move at their own pace.

Examples of unstructured play include:

Engaging in creative play, including making art or music, alone or with others

Imaginative play – for example, building nests out of boxes or blankets, dressing up or pretending

Exploring new or favorite places like closets, back rooms, floors, playgrounds, etc.
You can participate in your child’s unstructured play. But sometimes, all you need to do is point your child in the right direction—to the clothes and toys on the floor, or to a table filled with pens and paper. Other times, you need to be more proactive. For example, “Should we dress up?” Who are you today?

Structured play is planned and takes place in a specific time or place. It is often led by adults. Older children can enjoy and benefit from structured play.

Some examples of structured play include:

• Outdoor ball games, such as soccer
• Introductory water classes for younger children and swimming lessons for older children
• Storytelling groups for infants and toddlers at your local library
• Dance, singing, or drama classes for children of all ages
• Board or card games

Modified sports for older children such as Cricket Blast, Aussie Hoops, NetSetGO Netball, Come and Try Rugby and Auskick Rugby. How to develop play with your children
As children grow, their attention spans and physical skills develop, as well as their sense of play. Your child will become more creative and will experiment more with toys, games, and ideas. This may mean that they need more space and time to play.

In addition, children experience a variety of play as they grow. This includes playing alone, with other children, and interactive play with other children. When children have time and space to play without restrictions, their imaginations can wander and they can explore ideas. You can try adding simple materials, such as cardboard boxes, to existing rooms. This can encourage pretend play even in a small room.