Play is a dynamic, active, and constructive behavior. It is an essential part of every child's healthy growth, their development (Isenberg & Quisenberry, 2002). It provokes learning throughout all ages, races, domains, and cultures. Play acts as a way for children to express their understanding of learned skills, concepts, and dispositions. This has been proven many times by numerous studies but it is important that we also take a look at the parents role in play. Is it beneficial for parents to have an important role in their child's playtime?.
Parents can play an active part in helping their child progress in development in many areas. One of the three main developmental areas is the child's ability to become physically stronger. As a child plays they are most likely engaging in some type of exercise. Physical play refines the large and fine motor skills and helps the child develop a total body awareness. A parent that encourages a child to have physical activity integrated with their play will ultimately leave the child with a more confident and secure outlook on themselves. .
The second area that a parent should be involved with in their child's playtime is the social and emotional aspect of development. The younger years in a child's life is when they are most impressionable. Teaching a child to play with others is a very important gateway to behaviors that they will need to engage in as adults. Children need to be socialized with others from their culture. This encourages the learning of social skills, the ability to recognize others needs and values, handle situations dealing with exclusion and dominance, also the competence to share space, power, and ideas with others. One other very important learned component of this type of development is a child's comprehension of how to manage their emotions. Play encourages children to feel comfortable and in control of their emotions.