Who teaches a child to play? In truth, children themselves are the architects of their playful worlds. They naturally express themselves through joyful movement and exploration, unlocking profound benefits across their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Psychology has shown that young children naturally express themselves through positive play. The profession has even appropriated child-directed play as a useful method for exploring the internal world of children in need of psychological intervention by using play therapeutically. Research and observation provide overwhelming evidence: play is not just fun, it’s a powerful force shaping healthy child development. In my view, initiatives like the Play Better Campaign championed by SASKO Siyasizana recognize this. They actively promote Positive Play as a language and therapeutic tool, empowering caregivers to support children’s journeys of self-discovery through play.

Play therapists believe that “for children, toys are their words and play is their conversation”. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, agility, reasoning skills, and emotional strength. According to neuroscientists and paediatric specialists, play is crucial for healthy brain development and neural functionality. These neural building blocks are central to optimal thinking and reasoning skills in young people. It is these brain faculties that are useful in classroom tasks involving numeracy and literacy. The physical benefits of play are also reported by practitioners like occupational therapists who collaborate with child workers. Children hone their physical prowess through diverse forms of play, from mastering traditional indigenous games to navigating classic toys. These playful challenges refine dexterity and coordination, laying the foundation for lifelong physical health and well-being.

Through self-directed imaginative play, children forge a sense of mastery, conquering personal fears and rehearsing for future social roles. Once again, this crucial experience is supported by the Play Better Campaign, which also aims to enhance the lives of five million South African children by 2030 through the building of playgrounds. Unrestricted access to positive play experiences is paramount, as children who successfully navigate their self-created worlds develop essential competencies. These competencies manifest in enhanced confidence, emotional resilience, and the ability to confront future challenges with greater ease. From a psycho-social perspective, undirected play fosters the acquisition of invaluable interpersonal skills, enabling children to effectively collaborate in groups, share and negotiate with peers, and develop self-advocacy strategies. These skills are foundational for establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships throughout life.

Positive play has also been explored considering nurturing adult-child relationships. The relationship a child has with the primary caregiver/s from birth is a blueprint and an accurate marker of the psycho-emotional health of the child across the lifespan. The strength of the early attachment bond lays the groundwork for children’s self-awareness and interpersonal competence. Hence, it is imperative for parents and caregivers to actively participate in play, fostering this bond. The developmental journey of children is significantly shaped by the presence of caring adults who prioritize positive, child-directed interactions during play.

The evidence is clear: play isn’t simply frivolous fun, it is a powerful force shaping healthy child development. From nurturing creativity and problem-solving skills to fostering emotional resilience and social bonds, the benefits of play permeate every aspect of a child’s being. Initiatives like the Play Better Campaign serve as crucial reminders that supporting and encouraging child-led play are not just an act of love, it is an investment in the well-being of our future generations.