"Rekindling Play: Nurturing Childhood Through Genuine Engagement" by Dr. Kathryn Peckham

Unveiling The Magic: Embracing Genuine Play In Child Development

In this article, taken from the course of the same name at the Nurturing Childhoods Academy, we are going to be reminding ourselves of the deep-rooted importance of play and how we can support all adults in a child’s life to prioritise this invaluable activity. But first let me ask, how can something that seems like the simplest, most natural thing in the world be so fraught with issues? It all seems so easy when you watch children at it!?

Whether a child is looking up at you dressed in fairy wings, wanting you to chase them around the garden or to play endless rounds of their current favourite game, as an adult it can all seem a little daunting. How do you emerge yourself in their world of make-believe? How do you know what to do, to say and how to act?? ?

More and more parents and practitioners come to me concerned that they simply don’t know how to play. Could this be a sign of a more sedentary, technology-infused childhood or the impact of moving away from extended families and no longer being surrounded by nieces, nephews and young cousins? Or is it that as adults, we become too concerned with how we are perceived by others and forget the liberating freedoms of play??

Unlocking The Power Of Play: Nurturing Connections For Child Well-Being

Engaging in genuine play with children is not only an immensely enjoyable way to spend your time, but it also carries tremendous benefits for a child’s emotional, cognitive and social development. Building relationships and establishing the attachments that significantly contribute to their overall well-being. However, in today's fast-paced world, parents and practitioners can often find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities and commitments. Amongst the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's crucial to remind them of the significance of spending quality time playing. As you support all the adults in a child’s life, let us remind ourselves why we must all set aside dedicated time to do this, and as we embrace our inner child, watch as we all flourish in the special connections we share.

Building Strong Bonds With Play

Playing with children serves as a powerful bonding experience, providing an opportunity to connect on an emotional level as you foster trust and a sense of security. As you play together you demonstrate to children that they are valued and loved, strengthening your relationship as you build healthy attachments and enhance their self-esteem and confidence.

Promoting Cognitive Development?

As you play, you naturally develop children’s cognitive skills, engaging their problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making abilities as you explore the world around them. Participating in activities that naturally include creativity, spatial awareness, or logical reasoning such as building blocks, puzzles or imagination stimulates their development in ways more profound than any digital app.

Enhancing Social Skills With Play

As you play together, you facilitate the development of their social skills and lay the groundwork for positive social interactions. Through cooperative play, children learn how to negotiate, compromise, and take turns.? Through shared play experiences, they develop empathy, compassion, and an understanding of social cues, all of which are vital for building and maintaining relationships throughout their lives.?

Language And Communication Development?

Whether it's engaging in pretend play, storytelling or engaging in conversation, play provides an excellent platform for children to develop and enhance their language and communication skills in meaningful ways. By actively participating in their play, you can support their vocabulary development, sentence structure and communication abilities.?

Emotional Regulation And Stress Relief?

Play also allows children to express and process their emotions in safe and healthy ways.? Whether through dramatic play or engaging in physical activities, play helps children release excess energy and reduces stress.? It also provides an outlet for them to explore and understand complex emotions, and to develop effective emotional regulation strategies.

We know that play is not simply about fun but also an essential component of children’s growth and well-being, fostering their holistic development and allowing them to experience the joy and wonder of childhood. It is also the most significant and deeply felt way we have of learning - at any age.? So, let us look at how we support all adults to confidently embrace the power of playtime.?

Firstly, consider how motivating our environments are. Do we feel excited and interested to explore and play?? Is there a variety of engaging toys, art supplies, books, and puzzles along with materials that promote open-ended play such as cardboard boxes or blankets for building, dressing-up costumes and simple household items?? Is the space organised and accessible so that activities of interest can be easily chosen and tidied away afterwards?? Are these periodically rotated to maintain novelty and keep everyone’s interest piqued??

Without careful thought, structured activities and screens can dominate children's time and we must prioritise non-tech, unstructured play as an essential part of their development. The freedom to play without specific rules or instructions gives children the opportunity to follow their interests and passions, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-expression. However, in today's digital age, excessive screen time may be hindering children’s motivation to engage in more self-driven forms of play so look at how you infuse this with independent thinking, decision-making and problem-solving opportunities.

Children learn so much by example, so show your enthusiasm as you follow their imagination, demonstrating that play is not just for children, but a great activity for everyone. Strengthen your bond as you actively participate and celebrate in their play. Provide positive reinforcement and praise for their creativity, their problem-solving abilities and persistence. Take a genuine interest in their playtime activities, asking open-ended questions and engaging in meaningful conversations as you boost their confidence and motivation to explore.?

So whether you are a parent, practitioner or family worker join me at the Nurturing Childhoods Academy where you can access training, listen to talks and join a community of practitioners, parents and professionals working with children and the families that nurture them.