"Nurturing Growth and Development in Everyday Fun"

Growth and Play

Introduction

Play is not just about passing time; it’s how children explore, connect, develop, and grow. As part of the GREATEST roadmap, Enjoyment helps children build a deep love of learning and living. When parents with young children understand the value of play, they discover one of the best tools for purposeful parenting.

What Enjoyment Looks Like in Real Life

It is heartwarming to observe the joyful engagement of children when they are free to explore the world on their own terms.

It’s apparent when a child turns a tin can into a drum, a bedsheet into a tent, or cushions into a castle; jumps in a puddle, tells a wild story with action figures; or gets delightfully messy while finger-painting. For parents, it means creating space for joy and recognizing that play is purposeful—not frivolous.

I’ll never forget watching a preschooler come home with muddy clothes and a gleam in her eyes—only to be scolded for “playing too much.” That moment stayed with me. It reminded me of the many parents who are unaware of the magic happening in those playful moments.

What the Experts Say

Studies show that play-based learning helps children:

Improve language and communication
Build emotional resilience and social skills
Strengthen motor coordination and cognitive growth
Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
Build communication and emotional intelligence
Learn to manage stress and build resilience
Strengthen creativity and motor development

These outcomes reinforce that play is not separate from education—it’s central to it. Yet many parents worry that play is a waste of time—or feel guilty for not offering constant educational content. In reality, play is the foundation of all meaningful learning.

The History of Play: From Labour to Learning

Parents, believe it. During the 5th to the 19th century, children were expected to work alongside adults. They were made to toil in factories, cotton fields, and other harsh environments with little regard for their need to grow, imagine, and explore.

Thanks to educators and thinkers like Friedrich Fröbel, Jean Piaget, and Maria Montessori—who argued that children are not miniature adults and learn best through active involvement and play—early childhood education began to shift. This sparked the development of nurseries, kindergartens, and preschools designed to support children's natural curiosity and growth.

Today, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms play as a fundamental right. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2018) has echoed this, stating that "play is not frivolous; it is brain-building."

Encouragement for Parents

If you have ever felt guilty for letting your child “just play,” you are not alone. But you have permission because play is powerful. You don’t need expensive toys and perfectly organized activities. All you need is time and a little trust in your child’s imagination.

Five Simple Ways to Nurture Play

1. Create a Play-Friendly Space

Set aside a corner with simple materials such as blocks, paper, and dress-up clothes, where your child can play freely.

2. Join In

Let your child lead a pretend game. Your presence boosts connection and shows them their joy matters.

3. Limit Screen Time

Trade screen hours for open-ended play that sparks imagination and social interaction.

4. Make Chores Playful

Invite your child to sort laundry by color, "shop" for groceries at home, or be the chef’s assistant in the kitchen.

5. Try the Imagination Box

Hand them some cardboard boxes and watch their imagination unfold.

Parent Reflection Prompt

Notice the joy when your child has the freedom to play. How can you intentionally bring more joy into their daily life?

Conclusion / Takeaway

Play is more than a break from learning—it is learning! When we acknowledge that enjoyment is a key part of growth, we empower our children to become curious, confident, and connected.

Let’s Start a Conversation

What’s the most creative thing your child has ever imagined? Subscribe and share in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories.

References

Fröbel, F. (1826). The Education of Man
Montessori, M. (1912). The Montessori Method
Piaget, J. (1951). Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children