The Importance of Play
Play is essential to your child’s learning and development. Through play, children learn to interact and explore their environment, develop their physical abilities, explore their creativity, build self-confidence and develop their social and communication skills.
Paediatric Occupational Therapists use targeted play activities to build on a child’s strengths and promote their development in areas of difficulty such as: fine motor skills, self-care skills, problem-solving, motor coordination, sensory skills and cooperation with others.
How Play Supports Development
Motor Skills: Play involves a variety of physical activities that help children develop both gross and fine motor skills. For instance, climbing a playground climbing-frame strengthens large muscles and can improve motor coordination, while building with blocks enhances fine motor precision and coordination.
Cognitive Growth: Play stimulates cognitive development and problem-solving skills. When children play games that require them to follow rules or use strategies, they are not only having fun but also enhancing their cognitive abilities. This includes memory, attention, and logical thinking. Babies learn to problem-solve through play. For example, if they can’t reach a toy, they can learn to use another object to reach the toy.
Emotional and Social Development: Through play, children learn to express themselves, interact with others, and manage their emotions. Activities that require turn-taking, sharing, and cooperating with others are excellent for teaching children how to navigate social situations and understand emotional cues.
Sensory Skills: Many children benefit from sensory play, which helps them process and respond to sensory stimulation. For children with sensory processing difficulties, play can be tailored to help them deal with textures, sounds, and other sensory inputs in a controlled, and targeted way.
Self-Care Skills: Play activities can be used to develop to a child’s self-care skills such as finger feeding or using cutlery, learning to dress/undress themselves, toilet training and personal care tasks, such as brushing their teeth. Games to develop spoon feeding could include digging in the sandpit or coloured rice play with a spoon or cup. Pretend play with a doll/teddy can help develop early toileting skills.
Play Therapy at Best Start – Paediatric Occupational Therapy Clinic
At Best Start OT, play is an integral part of our therapeutic approach.
Our occupational therapists use a variety of play-based techniques to address the unique needs of each child and build upon their strengths.
From sensory play to social games to fine motor or gross motor activities, our therapies are designed to make learning and development enjoyable and effective for the child.
Embracing the Power of Play
Play is a powerful therapeutic tool in paediatric occupational therapy, offering a fun and effective way for children to achieve their developmental goals. It encourages creativity, enhances learning, and provides a safe space for children to develop their self-confidence.
If you are interested in learning how paediatric occupational therapy can benefit your child through play, we encourage you to reach out to Best Start. Book an appointment with Bernadette Shannon today by calling (07) 3188 1415, or visit our Paediatric Occupational Therapy page for more information. Let us help your child achieve their best start through the power of play.
If your child could benefit from paediatric occupational therapy, contact Best Start Occupational Therapy today. Let's work together to unlock your child's full potential and ensure they thrive in their early years and beyond.