The Importance of Play: Why It’s Essential for Child Development
As occupational therapists, we often say that play is a child’s work—and we truly mean it. Play is far more than fun and games. It’s a powerful tool that shapes how children learn, grow, and interact with the world. Through play, children build the foundational skills they need for everyday activities, academic success, emotional well-being, and social relationships.
In this blog, we’ll explore why play is so important, what skills it builds, and how occupational therapy can support meaningful, developmentally appropriate play.
Why Play Matters
1. Play Builds Foundational Life Skills
Children develop core motor, cognitive, and sensory skills through hands-on exploration. Activities like climbing, stacking blocks, drawing, running, or completing puzzles strengthen:
Fine motor skills (hand strength, grasp patterns, dexterity)
Gross motor skills (balance, coordination, body awareness)
Visual-motor integration (eye-hand coordination needed for writing and sports)
Executive functioning (planning, problem-solving, flexibility)
These skills form the foundation for self-care, school participation, and independence.
2. Play Supports Sensory Processing
Many children seek—or avoid—sensory experiences. Play naturally provides opportunities for healthy sensory exploration, such as:
Swinging and spinning for vestibular input
Jumping and climbing for proprioceptive input
Finger painting or building with clay for tactile exposure
Occupational therapists use play to help children regulate their sensory systems so they can engage more comfortably in daily activities.
3. Play Strengthens Social and Emotional Development
Through play, children learn how to:
Share and take turns
Manage big feelings
Cooperate and negotiate
Develop empathy and self-expression
Pretend play and group activities are especially rich opportunities for building emotional resilience and social confidence.
4. Play Encourages Creativity and Curiosity
Open-ended play—like playing with blocks, exploring nature, or engaging in role-play—allows children to imagine, experiment, and create. This fuels:
Problem-solving
Innovation
Self-directed learning
Confidence in their abilities
Creativity developed in childhood carries into adulthood, supporting flexible thinking and emotional wellness.
How Occupational Therapy Uses Play Purposefully
Occupational therapy sessions often look like play, but each activity is intentionally chosen to target specific developmental goals. An OT may use:
Obstacle courses to improve motor planning
Games to enhance attention and impulse control
Art projects to build fine motor coordination
Pretend play to support language and emotional skills
Using a child-centered, play-based approach helps children stay engaged, motivated, and excited to learn.
How Parents Can Support Play at Home
Here are a few simple ways to encourage healthy play every day:
Provide a mix of structured and unstructured playtime
Offer toys that inspire creativity, like blocks, art supplies, or pretend props
Allow space for movement—jumping, climbing, running, spinning
Join in! Following your child’s lead during play strengthens connection
Limit screens to encourage real-world exploration
Play doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—what matters most is the opportunity to explore and imagine.
Play is more than enjoyment—it’s the foundation for how children learn, grow, and understand the world. At its core, play supports the development of essential skills that children need for school, relationships, and independence. Occupational therapy uses the power of play to help every child reach their fullest potential.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or want to learn more about how occupational therapy can support meaningful play, we’re here to help.