Play is a powerful educational tool as it allows children to learn while having fun: it motivates them and helps to engage them in learning. Through play, children acquire skills needed to succeed in school: for example, certain types of play such as constructive and dramatic play are associated with better language, social and emotional skills.
A US primary school has stopped giving children homework after research showed that it was counterproductive: it led to exhausted and frustrated children with no time for other activities, which ultimately resulted in less interest in learning.
Through play, children develop flexibility and resilience, which contribute to their well-being, according to a recent report from Play Wales. The report defines play as an active, creative and spontaneous process in which thinking, feeling and doing flourish.
Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) has teamed up with UNICEF this Christmas to provide disadvantaged children with play materials in order to allow them to experience the fun, benefits and magic of play.