Healthy Kids
As a child, we have all played our own
games. Whether little girls playing with dolls, and young boys playing
with soccer balls, we enjoyed pretending, running, singing and jumping.
But do you think your parents realized that the time you spent playing,
actually helped you develop?
Well, most likely it did.
Play helps children grow both physically and mentally. Through play,
children explore their bodies, their relationships with people around
them, and develop their imagination.
"Children engage in numerous play experiences throughout the
course of a normal day," says Stacy Koenig, director of Child Life at
Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. "Play promotes growth in
physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development."
Play also helps a child cope, and deal with situations around
them. If a child can play out their aggressions, fears and
frustrations, it helps them to better understand what is going on in
the world around them. This is definately the case when children are in
the hospital.
"When a child is hospitalized, emotional concerns tend to be
the
focus. By offering play choices in the hospital setting it allows the
child to experience a more normalized situation, allows mastery and
self expression," says Koenig.
Children seek to reconstruct their surroundings to gain a sense
of control and dominance over being frightened, and often express their
thoughts about the unknown.
Play can also develop verbal and logical skills, in addition to
self-expression and mental development.
As a parent, how do you know, if your child is developing at
the
correct speed?
"Make sure your child's play compares to the developmental
questions asked by your doctor at regular visits," says Koenig. "Is
your child playing peek-a-boo, pulling himself up on the crib, or
reaching for bright objects? Older children need to be playing with
other kids, playing games that allow them to be physically active
and/or games that help them utilize their imagination."
The power of play is extremely important in the development of a
child. Play allows a child to utilize their imagination, which develops
their mind and, thus gives them a strong foundation for life.
