Healthy Play Time for Developing Kids

By Carolyn Knarr, MSW, LCSW, Director of Children’s Therapeutic Services

Having been a child therapist for some time, I am amazed by the lack of time children spend playing with toys today, compared to 10 years ago. When I ask my young clients what toys they have at home and like to play with, often the only answer is video games or other forms of technology. Many spend hardly any time at all playing with toys. I understand the appeal of technology, as it is more portable, less messy, and unfortunately, somewhat addicting, but the transition from toys to technology comes with a high price. Hands-on play benefits critical areas of development, including: physical, fine-motor, verbal, social, sensory, and logical.

Physical: Toys can improve children’s gross motor skills and coordination. Building, dancing, riding bikes, jumping on a trampoline, playing ball, and role-playing or other forms of play that involve motion, action, and the working of their big muscles (gross motor) is key to physical development, including balance. Kids should be on the move, and they need toys that will encourage this!

Fine Motor: There is no replacement for toys and activities that require manipulation of the small muscles (fine motor) of the hands and fingers. These improve the spatial awareness and eye-hand coordination that are needed for tasks such as tying shoes, zipping zippers and even turning the pages of a book.  Examples of these types of toys and activities  include Legos, Play-Doh, pretend cooking, dolls, small figurines, and drawing or painting.

Verbal: Most of language is acquired in the early years by verbal interaction with others, NOT by listening to television or other media. Interactive play is vital for acquiring back-and-forth (reciprocal) conversation skills. Have you ever listened to two preschoolers engaged in a conversation while playing make-believe together? These opportunities are a gold mine for language development.

Social: Closely related to verbal development is social development. By interacting during play, children learn to negotiate, problem-solve, and generally get along with others. If your young child does not have much opportunity for peer interaction, it would greatly benefit him and your relationship with him if you played with him. I spent hours playing with my children. I knew the importance of play in helping them learn to get along with others. Plus, I love to play! Could that be why I’m a child therapist?

Sensory: Hands-on play helps the brain learn to effectively process incoming information through  the senses. The messier the play, the better it is. Play-Doh, sandboxes, finger painting, gardening, and water play are all types of sensory play.

Logical: Problem solving which involves manipulation of objects greatly increases the logical capacity of the brain. Activities of this kind include puzzles, board games, card games, building with blocks, and imaginative play.

A child’s play time should be fun, but should also provide essential development opportunities, and it’s important to remember that the path is not solely through the latest technological toy.

So, get playing!

About the Author:

Carolyn Knarr earned her Master’s Degree from Washington University, and has been counseling for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, and is a licensed clinical social worker.

Carolyn has a strong background in working with children and adolescents with ADHD, attachment disorder, trauma, bipolar disorder, and Asperger’s. She works closely with their families to help them with the emotional and behavioral aspects of these disorders. She utilizes play therapy, family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, and is qualified to do psychological assessments with children. Carolyn also sees adult clients, couples, and families.

Through counseling, Carolyn helps her clients look at past and present relationship issues, communication patterns, and the potential for healing and growth.