Purpose of play

Play is essential for children to develop language and literacy skills. Free and purposeful play are both essential for the child’s development. Free play is when the child is allowed to play independently of parental instruction. Purposeful play is still child-led, but the parent/caregiver engages naturally, but purposely. Since language development is the foundation to literacy. Play will also facilitate a stronger literacy foundation (Mumy, 2013). So, allow playtime for learning! Promote play and use parentese blog (see our Parentese blog)!

Purposeful, free play helps develop the following skill sets:

• Concentration (attention)
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Family Connection
• Cognition
• Problem Solving
• Appropriate interactions with others (social language)
• Self-confidence
• Leadership Skills
• Use of “Theory of Mind”- taking on another’s perspective
• Literacy Skills
• Life Skills
• Communication Skills

Michelle L. Saltarrelli, AuD,CCC-A/SLP

References:

Mumy, A. P. M. (2013). My Baby Can Play: How Productive Play Promotes

Literacy. ASHA Leader.