The Power of Playtime: International Children’s Day 2022

This week we are celebrating international children’s day 2022! Empowering children is a topic close to the hearts of so many. Today we feel inspired to explore the power of playtime! This article is all about bringing you fun ideas to boost the confidence of your little ones: helping them to engage with the world in an exciting and meaningful way.

How Playtime Empowers Children

Playtime may appear to be all fun and games, but did you know the power of play is fun-damental to childhood development? That’s right! Playful moments also enhance numerous skills and boost confidence: all while nurturing the imaginations of children as they grow.

Playtime is also great for promoting positive mental health. At all stages of their development, children use play as a method of relaxation, freeing themselves of stress. Play also provides kids with a place of safety to identify and experience new emotions: increasing their emotional awareness.

Parents and Playtime

Parents have such a special role in playtime. Spending quality time exploring with your children can present new opportunities to guide, teach and help them grow.

Connecting with your children through play also adds an exciting layer to your relationship, allowing you to create happy memories and strengthen your bond.

Did you know the recommended amount of play for children is 2 hours a day? For busy parents, this can seem a massive challenge. Remember there are no rules to playtime! As long as fun is involved almost anything can be made into a game. Even household chores!

Solo play is also hugely beneficial to early learning and development. Encouraging children to play by themselves empowers little ones to learn independence and discover more about themselves. Playtime with siblings is also a whole lot of fun! Brothers and Sisters have the opportunity to teach each other and grow together. 

 Let’s Play!

Now, let’s get to the fun part: it is time to explore the power of playtime! Below are some fun ideas to inspire play, build skills and empower your children.

Let’s Go Outside!

There is a whole world for children to explore right on your doorstep. Getting up close and personal with nature is a great way to educate young minds and stimulate imaginations.

 Finding critters or identifying trees and rocks brings lessons from the classroom home and is fun for all ages! Boost numerical intelligence through counting, explore the magic of science and help little ones discover and appreciate our natural world.

Diving into the great outdoors also offers a whole host of positive mental health benefits.

 Being outdoors helps awaken all the senses, giving children multiple ways to interact with their surroundings, process and respond to sensory stimuli. Encourage little ones to listen, smell, hear and see, and if you have your own fruit or veggie patch, maybe even taste the world around them!

Let’s Move!

 There are also tons of physical benefits to playing outside!

 Sports are a popular way to empower self-expression. Ball games improve essential motor skills such as balance, dexterity, coordination and agility.

 Being outdoors offers kids a chance to get creative with space and movement. Allowing children a way to explore physical boundaries.

 Learning to ride a bike, skateboard or rollerblade helps develop a sense of independence and accomplishment as well as improve physical health.

An adventure in the garden is an inexpensive way for children to engage in so many empowering methods of play. A visit to the park or beach is equally as fun and introduces an opportunity for social skills to flourish!

Let’s Pretend!

Imagination and creativity influence a whole host of important skills such as problem-solving, physical development and self-control.

 Role play is a powerful way to blend learning with playtime. This method of play allows children the space to experiment with behaviours and characters, often prompting moments of thoughtfulness and reflection.

Role play is also great for teaching emotional awareness and developing communication skills. So get ready to dress-up, cook in the play kitchen or set the scene for a teddy bear picnic!

Let’s Create!

 Arts and crafts are also a great way to engage little ones in self-expression. Offering children a space to try new ideas and think in different ways.

 Drawing, painting and crafting develop muscle skill, precision and ability: Allowing kids to create with intention.

 Experimenting with texture and colour also allows children a way to physically express and interpret emotion.

Making music is another fantastic way to empower emotional understanding and creative expression.

 Singing is a powerful way for children to connect words, emotions and intentions together. Try creating your own rhymes and songs or sing along to all the classics.

 Experimenting with musical instruments in early learning introduces little ones to sound and rhythms. As children grow, they develop their own styles and ways of enjoying music. Some may continue to play instruments right through to adulthood, while others may be inspired to dance, sing, or simply listen.

From Treasure hunts in the garden to crafting homemade kaleidoscopes, the possibilities for play are endless! And so are the opportunities to learn new skills as little ones grow. Do you have a favourite way to unleash the power of playtime? Let us know in the comments below!