Essential facts about play

Learning through play starts with parents in the home

1MBZ PGGFST UIF PQQPSUVOJUZ GPS every parent to engage with his or her child and build healthy attachments and relationships.

1BSFOUT SFTQPOE OBUVSBMMZ UP their children’s need to learn through play, and this instinctive ability needs to be respected and kindled.

" DIJMEµT IPNF JT UIF QSJNBSZ learning environment where children play, learn and develop with the support of parents, caregivers, older siblings and family members. …1BSFOUT OFFE JOGPSNBUJPO BOE support to enrich learning though play for their children from the start.

Play stimulates healthy brain development

&WJEFODF TIPXT UIBU CSBJO development and growth, and the establishment of new neural connections and pathways, are influenced and advanced through exploration, thinking, problem solving and language expression that occurs during play.

1MBZ JNQBDUT PO UIF BSDIJUFDUVSBM foundation of development such as the physical and chemical development of the brain, which influences the child’s ability to adapt to, survive, thrive in and shape their social and physical environments.

4DJFOUJTUT BSHVF UIBU BT NVDI as evidence shows that play is essential for brain development, there is also evidence emerging that play deprivation adversely affects brain growth.

5IF CSBJO EFWFMPQT RVJDLMZ JO the first few years of life and the structure of the brain is shaped by the interaction between the child’s genes and his or her experiences (stimulation, play, language, safety).