Why We LOVE to Play
Play is incredibly important for the development of a child as it plays a central role in their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Here are some reasons why play is crucial for a child's development.
Our 120 carefully selected children from Imizamo Yethu community attend Ikhaya Le Themba everyday after school. Why? To support their development where it may be suffering, whether that is physical with lack of food and good nutrition; educationally with free schools being oversubscribed and under funded, and with a childhood. We do this using PLAY. Children in Imizamo Yethu don’t have the space to play like a child would, and don’t necessarily have what’s needed to play freely. They are actually free to play from 1:30 till 3:30 daily. Why so long? Here’s the science.
Play is incredibly important for the development of a child as it plays a central role in their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Here are some reasons why:
Physical Development: Play encourages physical activity and motor skill development. Whether it's running, jumping, climbing, or playing sports, physical play helps children develop their coordination, balance, strength, and overall motor skills.
Cognitive Development: Play is not just fun; it also engages a child's mind. Through play, children can explore, experiment, and problem-solve. It stimulates their imagination, creativity, and critical thinking abilities.
Social Development: Play provides opportunities for children to interact with others, learn social skills, and understand social norms. They learn how to take turns, share, negotiate, and resolve conflicts - essential skills for building positive relationships.
Emotional Development: Play allows children to express their feelings, emotions, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. It helps them cope with stress and anxiety, develop self-confidence, and understand their own emotions and those of others.
Language Development: Play fosters communication skills as children engage in conversations, storytelling, and role-playing. It helps expand their vocabulary, improve grammar, and enhance their overall language proficiency.
Creativity and Imagination: Play provides a space where children can unleash their creativity and imagination. They can pretend, invent new scenarios, and explore different possibilities, which are essential for later problem-solving and adaptability in life.
Cultural Understanding: Through play, children often mimic cultural roles, activities, and traditions, which can help them understand and appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives.
Stress Relief and Well-being: Play is a natural stress reliever. It allows children to relax and have fun, promoting their overall well-being and mental health.
Independence and Decision-making: During play, children often make choices and decisions, which helps them develop a sense of autonomy and independence.
Learning to Learn: Play builds the foundation for a positive attitude towards learning. Children who experience joyful and engaging play in their early years are more likely to be motivated learners later in life.
It's important to note that not all play is structured or adult-led. Unstructured, free play is equally important as it allows children to take the lead, follow their interests, and explore the world on their terms. So, encouraging and facilitating various forms of play is vital for a child's overall development and well-being.
We like to think that at iKhaya a child can choose their own play. Playing make believe, reading a book, scoring in soccer or table football, LEGO’s, train tracks, hide and seek, climbing the jungle gym, board games and so much more is available to iKhaya Le Themba Kids and that’s because of you!
If you have a particular game you’d love iKhaya kids to experience - browse this site and let me know you’d like to buy it for iKhaya. https://www.takealot.com
Thank you for building South Africa’s future leaders - who are going to know what JOY feels like!
Sara Clarke