Play = Life Skills.
Children who play can better attend at school.
Children who play have greater academic success.
Children who play make friends.
Children who play develop kindness, heart.
Children who play are problem solvers.
(This is just the tip of the iceberg, key parts of a long list.)
We all hear that play is important for children. I know it’s important. It’s their work; how they learn to make friends, negotiate, solve problems with objects, and solve problems with other children. Play is having fun, and it’s also very hard work. Learning how to pump a swing and ride a bike is a mountain of a challenge. So is learning how to ask for a turn, and to stick up for yourself.
Therefore, children who play grow into adults who have the skills to become good citizens as well as good people. Isn’t that what’s most important? Take the flip side – when a terrible, evil situation happens at the hand of one person (Columbine, Sandy Hook for starters), I immediately think of what they were doing when they were four-years-old. They did not have a place in which to play? Did they not interact with other children? If they did, most likely it was infrequent. Therefore, they didn’t develop any life skills. So, when someone wonders if play is important, yes it is!
The importance of play doesn’t end after preschool and kindergarten. It becomes even more important when students are older and face more academic challenges. Play stimulates the brain and triggers creative thinking. It’s a recipe for success.
Play wins, every time, for everyone.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
So important!
Yes!
this ❤
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I couldn’t agree more!
Thank you, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
Absolutely
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Agree …. but your words truly explain why!
Thanks, Frank!
The video shows the simple joys of childhood, and play is the most important, I have no doubt.
Best wishes, Pete.
You are right, Pete. Thanks so much.
Couldn’t agree more! Play is learning. Learning is fun.
Absolutely!
As Liz wrote, “I couldn’t agree more!” So simple but so important. I think ‘play’ is important at all stages of life.
Well said, Steve, and true!
Absolutely!
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Absolutely.
If one can do things in a playful way there is no work! Having fun at school does not mean learning is not going on. I feel like there would be less stress and anxiety if children were able to learn through play.
Play = creativity play = resiliency
Well said, and absolutely true. Love your quotation.
I so agree and this goes for adults too. At every place I worked, I always made sure we all had fun and took the time to play. This created a more productive team.
Play is very important, Jennie. I think more adults would be better off it a) they let their children play, and b) they play along.
Yes! Play with your children is win-win.
Everything you say is so so true…
Thank you, John. It really is.
You are so right 💜💜
Thank you, Willow! 😍
I’m in absolute agreement with you on the importance of play, Jennie. I’ve written about it a few times.
I’m planning to send this to the parents in my class now that Halloween is over and the holiday crazies are just around the corner. Thanks, Jacqui!
Yes! This is so true. Even adults need to continue to play with others, to interact appropriately.
Yes! Thank you, Mary.
I was thinking about our annual Mud Bowl game after reading Beth’s post this morning. Many of my buddies were married (I was still single), and some had children, but we’d gather each year for this event, sloshing away in the mud. It was part male-bonding, but mostly the chance to get together with old buddies to compete and play.
That is great! Play is bonding (and fun), for children and also adults. I think adults appreciate it more. The Mud Bowl is a case in point. Thanks, Pete.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Middle East was a playground instead of a killing ground.
Cheers, Jennie
Yes, it would be.
It’s a recipe for success – right!
Indeed it is. Thank you, Wynne!
We all need playtime! 😁
Yes, yes! If only we could convince parents to play with their children.
Play does win. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
Yes! Glad you enjoyed it, John.
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now If only the adults could play nice together
That would be wonderful!
Play is a skill that some adults forget and that is the greatest shame.
Many adults forget. It really is a shame. Yes, the greatest.
Hi Jennie, I know I always loved to play and was always organizing my peers into various games. Some games I played went on for months and were sagas. When my boys were young, we played. Especially in the sand pit which could become ghost mountain, a swamp, or a fort.
Absolutely, 100% could not agree more. A very important post Jennie ♥
Thank you, Sally! 😍
There is nothing sweeter than the sound of children at play having fund squealing with laughter… Lovely little video and post dear Jennie xx May we all of us learn to play and laugh and have fun more often too ❤ xx
Absolutely. Playing outside was part of growing up free, without technology. ❤
Lucky you! If only all children could have freedom of play…💕
So true ❤
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This is a wonderful video of the kids who are playing I enjoy watching them and reading about how play is important for developing life skills!
Thank you.
Your welcome I’m a preschool teacher as well and it’s always fun to enjoy watching them play
Yes, it is. Where do you teach? I’m in Massachusetts.
I am in Florida, I would love to collaborate with you and talk with you on different things!
Thanks, Rachael. I will follow your blog and read your posts. We teachers need to stick together. My favorite teacher on WP is Beth in Michigan @ I didn’t have my glasses on. She is a terrific teacher. My passion at school is reading aloud. I’ve probably written more blog posts on that than most anything else. Tomorrow’s post is Love, which is the core of teaching. I hope you read it. I’m headed over to your site.
I just started it so it’s at the basics I am just hoping to be able to spread ideas and figure out to help spread inspiration, ideas, and anything I can from ideas to lesson plans just anything I can touch on.
Wonderful! I look forward to your blog posts. Inspiration is my word, too. This is my 40th year teaching preschool (Holy Guacamole!), and I started my blog in 2014, as I was passionate about sharing what is most important in teaching young children. Best to you, Rachael. I hope you follow Beth’s blog. She is a wonderful teacher. Another great teacher (now retired) is Pete Springer. You should follow him, too. His posts are wonderful. I hope this helps.
It definitely does thank you so much! I also look forward to reading your posts and I will check them out as well. Thank you for all you do!
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