It's Child's Play: Play is Important for Learning (Adapted from Healthy Steps)

Play is important for learning. When toddlers play, they learn about their world and their place in it. When toddlers play, they explore and manipulate. They imitate, problem solve and practice. They develop and grow their minds and bodies. And play is the tool they use! At different ages, play does many things for toddlers.

For toddlers ages 12-18 months:

• Builds self-esteem. When toddlers play, they discover how much they can do and feel proud of their abilities.
• Learn social skills. Toddlers learn that there are rules about behaving in the world when they interact and play with others.
• Builds mastery and control. Toddlers need to feel some control and sense of competence in their ever-changing world. Play gives them the opportunities to practice skills and be in charge.
• Builds motor skills. Play gives toddlers a chance to jump, run, throw balls, dance, wiggle, and tumble. What a great way to develop their bodies!

For toddlers age 18 months:

• Builds healthy expression of feelings. Toddlers experience and act out emotions with their whole bodies. They may not be able to talk about feelings, but they can play out what they feel and begin to make some sense of things.

For toddlers ages 2-3 years:

• Enhances language. Play is a fun way to learn and practice language. Rhymes, finger plays, make-believe, and stories all build language skills. This kind of language is different from everyday language too.
• Builds imagination and creativity. Play is the magic wand that opens endless worlds to toddlers.