Play is serious business.
Tips to create a play space that promotes play and child development.
Child play is often viewed as light-hearted, optional and “nice to have” but developmental psychology research has consistently found that play is one of the most important and meaningful aspects of a child’s development. For children, play is not a break from learning or a reward for work done; it is the learning!
Play is the primary way children learn, think and make sense of their inner and outer worlds and themselves as a whole.
Through play, children are simultaneously:
Using play to work through through day-to-day experiences, transitions, dilemmas and even trauma by revisiting the experience and using repetition and imagination to creatively explore different options.
Expressing feelings they may not yet have words for (often in an embodied way) and making links between feelings and experiences in a way that might look random on the surface but actually reflects their inner world.
Experimenting, testing ideas and boundaries, problem-solving, and learning about cause and effect.
Exploring roles, connection, social skills, preferences and understanding.
Along with so, so much more.
This is why play can be thought of as “serious”, not because it isn’t fun or creative, but because of how important it is for child development, and because of the depth of processing that happens “in the background”, often absent from view.
When the importance of play is recognised in this way, it can be protected and honoured, rather than being overly structured, interrupted, rushed or curbed by parents and caregivers.
A thoughtful play environment can have a protective and positive impact on a child’s overall wellbeing. Here are some easy and inexpensive tips to create a supportive, inviting and fun play space for your children.
Use the space you have.
You don’t need a separate play room or even a big space to create a magical environment that promotes play. A simple corner of a room that is designed in a way that holds your unique child in mind and is dedicated to their play is what matters most.
A corner is enoughIncorporate connection (not just independence).
Children are more inclined to feel secure enough to play freely if they can see you, know you are near by or better yet, if you join in from time to time by quietly observing or playing with them. Ensuring there is somewhere for you to sit comfortably and be present in the play environment is important.
Sit close, stay presentLess is often more.
Take the pressure off yourself to buy lots of toys and to overly decorate the space. A few, carefully selected toys that can be rotated, promotes genuine and calm engagement. A less cluttered and sensory stimulating environment allows for deeper play and less overwhelm in children. Don’t forget to include your children in the process of tidying up, a win for you and an important developmental lesson for them.
Rotate, don’t accumulateKeep it age-appropriate.
Creating a play environment whereby your children can access their own toys and easily see and choose what they would like to play with will encourage more imaginative, free play. It can also be helpful to make space for their current developmental milestones and interests for example, a dress up corner/rail to practice getting dressed, a low hung mirror and stool to look at themselves or a “worry postbox” for them to post worries about daily stressors.
At their eye levelCreating space for regulation.
As much as play is fun, messy and dynamic, it can also involve slowing down, relaxing and (co)regulating. Adding cushions, books or comfort items can help your child to emotionally regulate alongside other types of play and is often a way to connect.
A soft landingUnderstanding that play itself is vital for children, but that creating a play environment that supports your child’s development does not have to be expensive, complicated or perfect, can help to get started on creating a dedicated space for play today!
Daniella Matthews is a South African trained clinical psychologist living and working in the UK. She has worked with parents, children and families for over 10 years and specialises in working with families in the perinatal period (the period from conception until 2 years old). Alongside her passion for helping families live more fulfilled and meaningful lives, she has a family of her own with her son, Oli, at the heart of it all.