Play is essential for brain development, fostering creativity, language, and problem-solving skills. Here's how to encourage productive play that supports growth.
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” - Diane Ackerman
Key Concepts
Play supports brain development by encouraging:
- Divergent thinking, which is the idea that there is more than one way to do things. Research tells us that divergent thinking increases problem solving and executive function (EF) skills.
- Language development, including both receptive and expressive language.
- “State of flow,” which is the experience of being delightfully immersed in an activity and being in the exact right spot to absorb and grow your skills and knowledge – this is “unintentional learning”!
What to Try
- Give your child space to play independently and try to avoid interrupting them when they're in the zone. If they want you to join, let your child take the lead. For example, if your child puts on a blanket like a cape, observe their play and ask them about it before jumping to say, "Wow, you're a superhero!"
- Encourage your child to talk about their play, before they start, during, or afterwards.
- Talking about their play before they start helps them practice their planning skills. "I wonder if those dinosaurs are going to visit the dollhouse again today."
- Use process-focused statements while you play to invite them to tell you about what they're up to, without intruding, barraging them with questions, or making assumptions about their play scenario. "You're stacking up the red blocks so carefully. I wonder what that's going to be."
- Narrate problem-solving. "Hmm, if I put the big block on top, it falls off. If I put it at the bottom, it's more stable and I can build higher."
- Afterwards, encourage them to tell you about their play. "I noticed you putting the scarf on dolly earlier. Do you remember that?... Oh, I see! She was cold. Did you go somewhere with her?"