The early childhood years are indeed exciting and powerful years for building the foundation of human intelligence. Play is one of the most important aspect in early childhood development.  

Play is a natural and effective way a child learns to concentrate, exercise imagination, try out new ideas and practice grown-up behavior. To a child, play is fun, exciting, invigorating and challenging.  

To children,play is as important as work is to adults. As they work through play, children absorb from the environment whatever strikes as interesting. Children are known to play with gay abandon, energy and decisiveness.  

Here are some specific aspects of PLAY that are important to Child DEVELOPMENT

~ Role of parents  

Parental role is primarily to make sure that children have plenty of opportunities to play freely in a safe environment without undue supervision. Parents need to ensure that there are no possibilities of any danger before allowing them to play unsupervised. They need to provide materials and equipment to encourage children to stretch their imagination. They would do well to observe their children at play and support their child's interest from a distance.  

~Lessons learnt through play  

The child at play imbibes vital life-long lessons. The child intensely observes and experiments with varied forms, materials and ideas. He learns how to use his large muscles, how to turn raw materials like clay, sand, mud and finger paint into shapes that are meaningful to him. He learns what he can do with his body and eventually learns how to get along with others through play.  

~Environmental influences  

Children are open to environmental influences. In homes where early explorations are encouraged, the minds and personalities of children grow and develop to its fullest potential.  Children are gifted with an insatiable sense of curiosity—-they want to touch, smell, see, hear and taste everything in the environment; their sense of discovery through play, provides an important platform to learning.  

~Choice of Toys  

It's best that toys are as simple as possible. Simple, uncluttered toys offer scope to the child to use the imagination. Toys can be chosen for their versatility; something that can be used in several ways, not just one. It would be wise to check for safety features in toys which children handle. Rough edges or corners, points or materials that break easily or play involving leaded paint are not advisable to be used.  

~Conclusion  

Learning through play varies depending on the child's age, capability and environment. Children's play preferences also vary at different stages of learning and development.  

In every home, it is the parent’s responsibility of providing the right, appropriate setting for their child's play. What parents choose for their child, their imagination and inventiveness in setting up play spaces and proper equipment, is of vital importance.  

Let your home serve as your child's first place of learning. Let your child enjoy and reap a rich harvest from the important learning process of play.