1. Why is play important in a child’s life?
The importance of play
Why is play important in a child’s life?

2. Play
Play is essential for children to develop . It is the way children learn about themselves and their world around them, and can benefit them in later life
Children learn through different experiences
Play can be spontaneous play or structured play

3. Play Develops their Physical development
Social & emotional development
Intellectual development
Language and communication skills
Questioning skills
Creative skills
Understand the world around them

4. A child needs to play To develop an enquiring mind
To understand attitudes towards the natural world and tackle experiences
To acquire manipulative skills, spatial awareness, fine and gross motor skills
To encourage them to express themselves, socialise and cope with emotions
To form a sound foundation on which to build

5. What types of play are there?

6. Exploratory play

7. Exploratory play
Young children will observe their surroundings and babies will put things in their mouths to explore the world around them
Older children like to ask questions and think for themselves and experiment

8. Solitary play

9. Solitary Play Babies and young children will play alone
There is no interaction with each other
This is an important stage and all children go through it

10. Parallel play

11. Parallel play
Children play side by side but play separately with little interaction from each other
There is no talking to each other about what they are doing
They might ask each other for a piece of equipment

12. Co-operative play

13. Co-operative play
Children are able to play together. They adopt a role within the group and take account of others’ needs and actions
Play becomes more complex and simple rules are understood
Playing board games are important
Children are given more choices and responsibilities

14. Imaginative play

15. Imaginative play
Children use their fantasy idea to play out their ideas (challenge stereotypes)
Role play (social play) is very important both indoors & outdoors
Having a good area is important and changing it regularly (consider multicultural resources)
Ensure children feel private but can be observed by an adult

16. Creative play

17. Creative play
This also uses their imagination but can involve craft material
2D and 3D models making
Music

18. Manipulative play

19. Manipulative play This focuses on small world play
Small equipment is used to help children develop fine motor skills

20. Play Play can be broken down in many different ways.
All these areas can be done outside and understanding their world around them is important
If children are not allowed to play and explore then their development will be hindered
The wrong sort of play is also detrimental to children

21. DVD Now watch the video of Bandura Bobo experiment It was done in 1965
It shows how children can learn by watching adults
Children learn by imitating an adult rather than being shown or taught