Dr. Maria Montessori | Play helps kids learn and develop confidently

​Back to work! Did you know, PLAY is work for a child, according to Dr. Maria Montessori?
​Play helps kids learn and develop confidently.

The desire for children to play and explore is universal, which is why kids’ toys and games are still as popular as ever for keeping children entertained and helping them to develop. The Toy Association says that “Toys ignite a child’s imagination offering limitless possibilities. They also reflect cultural and societal trends unfolding within a generation.”

Play isn’t just about having fun, though. For children, play is as important as work is for adults - it helps them to learn, grow and understand the world around them. According to renowned physician and educator Maria Montessori, play helps children develop in these key areas:

• Voluntary, enjoyable, purposeful and spontaneous activity
• Using creativity to problem-solve and understand the world
• Developing social skills, language skills and physical skills 
• Broadens imagination to explore new ideas and concepts
• Helps the child to interact socially and adapt well to unfamiliar situations 
• Supports emotional wellbeing and coping with difficult emotions

So, if play is work for children, then toys and games are the tools which help them to work. 

Children's Toys

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Games & Puzzles

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Play forms an essential part of a child’s early development. As set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, playing is a vital tool which enables children to learn the necessary skills to prepare for their formal education. Play helps children develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally to help them grow and thrive in the classroom and beyond. We’ve rounded up some fun activities that parents can do at home with their children to help support their early learning through play.