5 Reasons Why Daily Play is Crucial for Your Child’s Happiness
In a world growing increasingly characterized by video games, iPads, and other forms of isolated entertainment that pull children away from socialization, we are seeing a rise in childhood anxiety, reduced social abilities, and an increase in low self-esteem among kids today. As children develop, the engagement and play they partake in will have a tremendous impact on their stability and happiness as an adolescent and as an adult, which is why it’s so important to make time for such activities right now.
Here are just a few reasons why play is crucial for your child’s happiness:
1. Socialization Skills:
Most games require two or more participants at a time. Through play, children are introduced to socialization and working with others while they partake in the game at hand. Without play, kids are not exposed to the proper amount of socialization they need to develop social presence and confidence as they get older.
2. Laughter:
Study after study has shown that laughter improves our happiness, decreases depression and anxiety, and relaxes our bodies. Your child deserves to laugh, all day long. One of the easiest ways to ensure laughter is a large part of their life is to encourage playing with family and friends as much as possible. Life should be care-free and easy when we are kids.
3. Problem-Solving Skills:
When playing with others, kids have to learn how to get along with different demands and personality types. They aren’t always going to get their way, and they need to get used to it. When a problem or a scuffle arises during game play, they will learn how to sort the problem out and deploy their own set of problem-solving skills. With those skills, they will carry your child throughout the rest of their lives, providing them with confidence to fix any problem at hand.
4. Motor Skill Development:
Kids, especially young children, are in a formidable physical development time in their lives in which their body is working through motor skill development. Although video games and TV can be distracting, nothing helps them refine motor skills more than throwing a ball or frolicking outside.
5. Creativity:
Lastly, play encourages children to explore their own personal creativity and likes/dislikes. Play requires imagination, helping children to reach beyond their lives and into a made-up world. With this kind of creativity, children develop a sound self-esteem and confidence in themselves. They will appreciate their own originality and individuality, no matter what.