Strengthen Young Children’s Mental Health Through Play

Your child’s mental health is essential, and as a parent, nothing is more important than the well-being and development of your child. 
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While we want to nurture their intellectual growth through learning and education, we must also support their social-emotional growth through unstructured play.

However, in today's busy world, it can be all too easy to fill every moment of their day with structured activities at the expense of free play. 

But did you know that simply making time for unfettered imaginative play helps strengthen important aspects of children's mental health and sets the foundation for positive relationships, resilience, and success?  
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Research shows that mental health problems in kids are on the rise and partly associated with a decline in playtime.

​In this post, we will discuss the remarkable benefits of play for young minds and practical tips for prioritizing playtime each day, no matter how hectic things get.

Play and Mental Health

From enrolling them in extracurricular activities to scheduling playdates, we try to fill every moment of their day with new experiences. 

But, in the rush to give our children every advantage, we often forget about something essential: playtime. 

Free and unstructured play is vital to your child’s mental health and development; no matter how busy your schedule may be, it is crucial to prioritize it. 

Remember that children learn best when they are not explicitly taught. 

Unstructured playtime provides children the chance to experiment with new ideas and concepts.

It offers them a safe space to develop their emotional intelligence, problem-solving, creative thinking, and decision-making skills. 

As children interact with their peers and direct environment, they begin to understand the complexities of social connections. 
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This learning leads to stronger cognitive development and improved emotional well-being. 

Reduced Anxiety and Stress

Modern life is full of stressors that affect everyone, including young children. 

As a result, anxiety and stress among children are becoming increasingly prevalent, leading to adverse mental health outcomes. 

However, playtime offers an excellent outlet for children to reduce these negative feelings. 

When children engage in imaginative play, they forget about their problems, becoming lost in worlds of their own making. 
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This mental escape provides significant relief for children, reducing stress and allowing them to return to refreshed routines.

Strengthened Relationships

Play allows children to perceive and understand social cues. 

When children play with peers, they learn how to share, cooperate, and communicate. 

Such interactions lead to complex relationships based on understanding and empathy. 
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Building and nurturing these relationships gives children a solid foundation for future social interactions, leading to improved mental health outcomes.

Improved Self-esteem

While structured activities and other forms of learning are essential, nothing compares to the feeling of accomplishment that comes with mastering a skill through play. 

Children develop a sense of confidence in themselves when they achieve something through play. 

Whether it's completing a challenging puzzle or constructing a castle out of blocks, playtime offers children a sense of mastery and control over their environment. 
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As a result, children who engage in play regularly tend to have higher self-esteem and self-worth. Ultimately, this positively influences their mental health.

Practical Tips for Prioritizing Playtime

As parents with busy schedules and numerous responsibilities, prioritizing playtime can seem challenging. 
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However, making playtime a part of your child's daily routine is crucial to their mental health and development. 

Here are some practical tips on how to prioritize playtime: 
- Schedule playtime into your daily routine
- Set aside specific times for unstructured play
- Allow your child to choose how they wish to play
- Provide them with toys and materials that foster imaginative play
- Get involved in the play yourself, building an even stronger bond with your child

Some Practical Tips

Playtime is an essential aspect of every child's growth and development. It offers children the opportunity to explore and experiment with new concepts, reducing stress and anxiety while building and nurturing relationships. 

As a parent, prioritizing your child's playtime is key to fostering their mental health and developing their emotional and social intelligence. 

While finding time for unstructured playtime in our busy lives might seem challenging, it is worth the effort. 

So, set aside schedules for playtime, get involved, and watch your child grow into a happy, healthy, and confident individual. As always, contact our team for more information about playtime in our curriculum.