“When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero.”
– Fred Rogers
For children, the wonder of play is an essential steppingstone toward healthy development cognitively, socially, emotionally, psychologically, creatively and physically. Play is the language of children, how they communicate, and how children make sense of their world. Play involves expressing and managing emotions, as well as developing communication skills, like reading body language and learning social norms.
When it comes to the development of the brain, play is an integral aspect. Play releases oxytocin, otherwise known as the “cuddle or hug hormone”, a powerful brain chemical that enhances social skills like sharing and cooperation. It also supports your child’s ability to calm those big emotions. While it won’t get rid of the “Terrible 2’s,” it can increase a child’s window of tolerance in learning how to manage their emotions. Play increases dopamine, another powerful brain chemical, also known as the “feel good hormone”. With the right balance of dopamine, a child can feel happy, motivated, alert and focused. Oxytocin and dopamine are very important in promoting strong mental health since both neurotransmitters are correlated with stress reduction and enhancing motivation.
Play in Early Childhood by Center on the Developing Child Harvard University
Center on the Developing Child shares suggested activities for brain building through play based on a child’s age. Here are some activity to help get you started.
For infants up to 6 months of age
- Peekaboo
- Pat-a-Cake
- Fingerplays like Eensy Weensy Spider and Where is Thumbkin?
For infants up to 9 months of age
- Imitation play such as Baby See Baby Do
- Where is it?
- Grocery Store Explore
For infants up to 12 months of age
- Explore on the Floor
- Hide and Seek
- Dump and Fill
For toddlers up to 18 months of age
- Just Like You
- Finger Plays and Songs
- Making Chores Fun
- Memory Games
- Matching and Sorting Games
For toddlers up to 2-3 years of age
- Follow the Leader
- Counting Games
- Puzzles
- Be the Narrator
If you are curious about additional ideas, please visit the Center on the Developing Child.
If you are ready to jump right into your child’s early developmental journey, contact Lone Star Circle of Care at 877-800-5722 to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider who can refer you to a Lone Star Circle of Care Behavioral Health provider.
Blog post written by Audrey Rodrigues, LCSW
Lone Star Circle of Care at Cedar Park
