Why Prioritise Play?
- Leah Corbett
- Feb 12, 2025
- 3 min read
“Play is nature’s way of teaching children how to solve their own problems, control their impulses, modulate their emotions, see from others perspectives, negotiate differences and get along with others as equals. There is no substitute for play as a means of learning these skills”.
Peter Gray, Free to Learn
There can be a lot of talk and pressure amongst parents about whether their child is ready for school. As a teacher I know for sure that having a class of children that seem academically ready is not high on the wishlist when meeting the new entrants or the new year one class. Teachers are not hoping that all the students can count to 10 and recognise letters and be able to draw and colour neatly. What teachers are really hoping for is children who have empathy and pro-social skills. Things like helping, sharing, co-operation, waiting and showing concern for others. This is what makes a class a pleasure to teach, and allows for a strong learning environment.
If your child has strong pro-social skills then not only is the teacher going to appreciate this, but friendships will come easier to those who can show such kindness.
The best way you can develop pro-social skills in your child is by giving them plenty of opportunity for play because this is where these skills are learnt in an authentic way.
What sort of play?
Free independent play with mixed ages is best… the children choose and direct the activity without adult guidance. (Try not to interrupt or get involved. Leave them to interact with their environment as they choose to.) In play, the natural goal is to keep it fun for everyone otherwise people leave and do something else. Pro-social skills are developed because everyone needs to consider everyone else in order to make the game or the activity remain fun. Don’t feel you have to always organise play dates though because imaginative and pretend play on their own is also very helpful for pro-social skills. Notice the caring nature your child has with a doll, and the real life scenarios that get played out show an understanding of co-operation in the world. The other type of play that is great for practising pro-social skills is playing quick fire games with you like Snap and Memory and fun boardgames. Don’t rig it so your child always wins - they need to experience disappointment and frustration when they don’t win and realise these feelings pass!
Many schools these days recognise the value of play and your year one child should be having a decent amount of playtime at school. The curiosity through experimenting and exploring that occurs during play is brilliant foundations for formal learning. They will be problem solving and improving their oral language too.
Another benefit especially with play outside in nature is the physical gains. Co-ordination, agility and balance are all needed in the classroom. Physical play at the beach, in the bush, or at a playground teaches children how to control their body, take risks and conquer fears. Making mistakes and trying again should be celebrated, as this makes for a child with a good attitude to learning.
Children that have high screen use often struggle to focus in the classroom. One of the reasons for this is they are missing out on important play time because they’re on screens, and therefore not developing their executive function skills. Things like planning, making decisions, attention, impulse control, and transitioning from one thing to the next are enhanced through play and diminished through screen use. Next time your children are playing with their friends, listen out for all the planning and negotiating over the rules that goes on. Executive functioning does not fully develop until we’re adults so this is a long game! If your child’s teacher suggests that your child has trouble focusing in class, then look at how much time they have across the week for free independent play vs time on screens.
As Maggie Dent says “Just because we are unable to directly measure the benefits of play does not mean they don’t exist.” See the value in all they are learning and how they are growing as a kind human with empathy. When your child starts school, schedule in plenty of afternoons and weekends for simply playing at home or out in nature.
