The Power of Play

By Tiffany H. Mohn

At some point in our childhood, whether it was at home or at school, we were issued numerous warnings about playing: “Stop playing around,” “quit playing,” or “this is not play time.” The question “can I go out and play?” can be the start of a battle between children, parents, and teachers everywhere.  As we move farther away from the playground years and enter the parenting stage, we often forget that play is an important and essential part of life.

Much to the chagrin of my second grade teacher, play has always had an important role in the development of children.  From jumping rope to playing with dolls, play is critical because it lays the foundation for healthy development. 

Every play activity emphasizes a different aspect of development.  For example, when two children disagree over a call in a baseball game, they are sharpening their abilities to both communicate a point of view as well as learn to negotiate compromise.   

If two 8 year-olds decide to play make believe, they are defining the skills necessary for creative, logical, and abstract thinking.  One obvious aspect of play is exercise, as it not only helps to develop gross and fine motor skills, but often provides children with a vigorous physical activity for maintaining good physical health.

According to Psychologist Christiane Brems Ph.D., of the University of Alaska, there are essentially three main functions of play.  The first is a self development function.  For example, play provides an opportunity for a child to discover individual likes and dislikes.  The second is a maturation function. This helps children explore their own environment, learn moral judgment, and practice cognitive skills. The last function of play is relationship growth which is important because it helps sharpen the child’s interpersonal communication skills needed for social and language development.

Therapists employ the childhood activity of play as a tool in the treatment of various emotional and psychological problems; this is called “play therapy.”  Play therapy is based on the idea that play is a natural medium for children to express themselves.  In their quest to help the child, a therapist will encourage children to do the very act they love – play.  Children will play out their conflict during sessions, which helps to identify and treat children as they display the very behavior that is causing psychological grief.  The central idea behind play therapy is to help foster a relationship of trust that will aid in the disclosure of feelings and conflicts.  This type of therapy provides an opportunity to experiment with new behaviors while providing a corrective emotional experience; new coping skills can develop as a result.  Such an approach can help heal children that have suffered the worst that the world has to offer. 

Famed psychologist Erik Erickson Ph.D. once proclaimed “to play it out is the most natural self-healing measure childhood affords.”  Try to think about all of the benefits that can come from letting your children play and encouraging yourself to take some time to join with them.