Playing is an Important Part of a Child's Development Oftentimes parents or caregivers are under the impression that if a child is not actively learning or being taught academics then they are not learning at all. But even simple playtime is learning for a child. The world is new to them and something as simple as playing with a cardboard box is still a learning process for them.
During play, children learn how they influence the world and their surroundings. Children also use play as a way to relieve stress and taking this time out from chores or academics is an important part of keeping a child healthy; both physically and emotionally. It is important for parents and caregivers to provide opportunities for children to play. Many toy manufacturers create toys that will teach
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During games and activities children will make a variety of decisions. Making these decisions will show children the consequences of their actions. This might be as simple as choosing a very small and thin block to be at the bottom of a tower. When the tower falls a child will realize that choosing the smallest block is not the best choice for a tower base. Next time they build the tower the child is likely to either grab a bigger block or to enhance the smaller block by adding others to it. During a normal play session children will also learn to think on their own. They will develop the skills necessary for thinking on their own but these skills are provided in a non-threatening and safe environment. Children will also create their own rules that fit within their world. Often children create rules or a set of guidelines for their play. They may only be playing with toy cars in a dirt road, but they create their own infrastructure about what is and is not acceptable. For example, they cannot drive off the road. There is no reason why a toy car cannot leave the dirt path, only that the child has made the rule that says