The Importance of Play
Kay Sikich, Early Childhood Educator

Children learn best through exploration, discovery and play.  Play is your child’s work. Their toys are the tools of their trade.  When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace and discover their own areas of interest.  Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to communicate, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts and to learn self-advocacy skills, all which are integral to success in school and life.  Play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood that offers children important developmental benefits and offers parents the opportunity to fully engage with their children.  It is very important to keep play in our children’s lives.  Following is my favorite poem that expresses what children learn when they are “just playing.”

JUST PLAYING
Anita Wadley, “Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul”

When I’m building in the block room, Please don’t say I’m “just playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.

When I’m getting all dressed up, Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m “just playing.”
 For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don’t let me hear you say “he’s just playing.”
For you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair “Reading” to an imaginary audience,
Please don’t laugh and think I’m “just playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don’t pass it off as “just playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
 Or some “plaything” at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in “play”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is just “play.”
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a chef someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m “just playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I’ve done at school today,
And I say, “I’ve played.”
Please misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I’m a child and my work is play.