Active play means physical activity at a moderate to vigorous pace. It encompasses a wide range of activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, including simple things like crawling, jumping, and running. The most effective active play is when it causes children to have high heart rates and huff and puff.
Active play can occur both indoors and outdoors. It can also be enjoyed alone or with friends or family members. Additionally, structured settings promote active play such as sports and swimming lessons, as well as unstructured active play settings like backyards and parks.
Why Children Should Play Every Day
Children need to play every day. Experts recommend that they should enjoy at least 60 minutes of active play every day. This time can be built up throughout the day if it is challenging to allocate it in a single chunk.
So What Does Active Play Allow Your Child To Accomplish?
- Active play allows children to engage both their large and small muscle groups as they play
- It teaches children how their body moves
- Children get to enjoy the freedom that comes with exploring nature and making noise
- They get to move in a wide range of ways
- It allows them to practice skills like climbing and skipping
When They Are Allowed To Do This, Here Are Some Of The Benefits Your Little One Will Be Able To Reap From Engaging In Active Play:
- Active play teaches children the importance of dcision-making as well as essential problem-solving skills
- Children become more resilient when they are allowed to engage in active play
- Your child will learn to be more confident and believe in herself through active play
- Active play fosters independence in children
- It opens children’s imagination and creativity up as they make up new games to play
- Your child will learn how to deal with change and how to keep going despite obstacles through active play
- As they play with other children, kids will also develop communication and social skills through active play
- Playing with their peers gives them a sense of belonging
- Active play introduces the concept of social rules and how to act among others to children. It lays the foundation of friendships and skills that your child will use to interact with others in the future
- Children learn teamwork, the concept of “give and take”, patience, and how to relate with individuals who are different from them through active play
It is important to note that active play does not have to be structured. It does not have to be organized or to have a set time and instructions. Allow your little one to make up her own games as she plays. This way, she will get to try new things and learn from her mistakes while having lots of fun.
Final Thoughts
Active play is extremely important for the optimal growth and development of children. Your little one is naturally curious and always eager to have fun. Through active play, that is exactly what she gets.
