Don’t just take our word for it! Delve into expert opinions on the critical role of play in child development, and explore how Implay products are supporting this essential concept and activity. 

Play is something that’s often not taken very seriously. In fact, it’s usually seen as something quite trivial. In schools, play time is used to break up periods of learning. At home, it’s something the kids do to keep out of the way while dinner’s being cooked. Many of us view play as being the opposite to work, but actually, it’s something we do to counterbalance the work that we do. 

However, as you may know if you’ve been following our blog, we think play is much more important. 

At Implay, we believe that play is essential for child development, helping children to learn, grow, and find their place in the world. We believe it’s the key to creating relationships, understanding societal cues, discovering our abilities, interests, and talents, and becoming confident with who we really are. 

And we’re not the only ones to think in this way. 

In fact, the value of play in childhood development is increasingly recognised, all over the world. Teachers, researchers, policymakers, and more are all starting to come together to say, ‘Let kids play!’. Many are tirelessly working to promote the importance of play in both learning and development. 

Take a look at what leading professionals in the field have to say…

Play is important for all aspects of childhood development

Experts seem to agree that play doesn’t just impact one aspect of childhood development; the impact of play can be significant, touching upon many different aspects for a comprehensive effect. 

“Play is the foundation of good mental health, of trusted relationships, and of social and emotional development.”

 – Dan Paskins, Director of UK Impact, Save the Children UK

“Play is important for children. Not only is it great fun, but it also benefits their health and wellbeing. By playing, children try out new things, test themselves, and learn new skills. Play is also a way of developing social and emotional skills: by playing with others, children learn to share, take turns, negotiate, and make friends.”

 – Anne Longfield, former Children’s Commissioner for England

Play is a natural learning mechanism

Play enables children to begin learning and embark upon their developmental journey, long before they’re able to pick up a textbook and read. It’s a natural, accessible way for little ones to explore. 

“The parts of the brain that are more developed in the early years are the ones that respond to active experiences.”

 – Dee C. Ray, Director of the Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas

Play supports school learning

Academic learning is, of course, crucial to every child’s development. Yet experts agree that learning through play can support and complement academic endeavours, maximising in-school successes. 

“Play is one of the main ways that children really consolidate their learning. The way we really make our skills permanent and enriched and highly developed is often through our play experiences.”

 – Doris Bergen, former Professor of Educational Psychology, Miami University

“When children are exposed to formal learning experiences, it’s very important to give them that wiggle room to play with those ideas, but to do so in a way that supports their prime psychological function of wanting to play.”

 – Marilyn Fleer, Foundation Chair of Early Childhood Education and Development, Monash University

Play is critical for the future of society

Perhaps most importantly, experts are recognising how play could be the key to creating a strong, inclusive future society. Developing relationships through play could shape tomorrow’s communities. 

“The adaptive tolerance and empathy toward others that is learned in early preschool through rough and tumble play is really a fundamental part of our having tolerance for people who are different than we are.”

 – Dr Stuart Brown, Founder of the National Institute for Play

“Investing in play can and does lead to multiple benefits, including improved educational attainment, a healthier society, and increased levels of tolerance within and between communities.”

 – Tim Gill, Chair, UK Play Safely Forum

Paving the way to play

The research is all there. Play isn’t just a sign of immaturity. It’s not just a way of letting off steam. It’s not something we should ‘grow out of’. It’s an essential part of growing, developing, and learning.