What is Play and Why is it Important?

The Speech Therapy team explains play, why it is important, the different types, and some helpful tips and tricks. View this email in your browser What is Play and Why is it Important?   Play is a child's job and one of the most important ways they grow and learn. It's a key part of developing speech, language, and social (pragmatic) skills. Through play, children build important life skills in a fun, low-pressure environment. Play gives children the opportunity to explore independently, be creative, and learn how to engage with others. It can be as simple as a baby shaking a rattle or as imaginative as older kids building a blanket fort and pretending they're on a mission to outer space.   Play also helps children learn new words and sounds, which builds vocabulary and speech development. It supports skills like cause and effect, turn-taking, and peer interaction. As psychologist Leslie Shenfield puts it: "When kids play, they must find the right words to convey their ideas, label objects in their environment, negotiate limits and boundaries, resolve disputes, share, and take turns." (Shenfield, 2025)   What Are the Different Types of Play?   Independent Play Also called solitary play, is when a child plays alone. It helps build independence, creativity, and focus. You'll often see this kind of play start in infancy and continue at different stages as children grow. Examples: A baby playing with a rattle or a toddler flipping through a book on their own.   Relational Play This is when a child starts exploring how objects work together. It usually begins around 10 to 18 months of age. Examples: Putting a spoon in a bowl, feeding a baby doll, or stacking cups or blocks.   Functional Play This type of play involves using toys the "expected" or typical way. It begins around 12 to 18 months and helps children learn how things work. Examples: Rolling a toy car, throwing a ball, or building a tower with blocks.   Pretend Play Also known as imaginative or symbolic play, is when a child uses their imagination to act out real-life situations or create make-believe ones. Pretend play usually starts between 18 and 30 months.   Examples: Pretending a banana is a phone, making animal toys talk to each other, or playing doctor or grocery store.   Parallel Play This is when two children play next to each other, but not with each other. They may be doing similar things, but they're focused on their own play. This typically starts around 2 years old. Examples: Two toddlers building with blocks side by side, coloring with the same crayons, or one playing with cars while the other plays with dolls.   Play Tips: What to Do and What to Avoid   What Helps:   ● Let your child lead the play or offer them simple choices ● Talk about what they're doing ("You're stacking the blocks so high!") ● Name objects, actions, and feelings ● Use fun sounds, gestures, or sign language ● Pause and give your child time to respond or copy you ● Read books and sing songs together ● Add to what your child says (Child: "Car!" You: "The red car is so fast!") ● Show them how to play with or say something, rather than telling them   What to Avoid:   ● Don't hold back favorite toys to try to force them to talk ● Don't worry about doing things the "right" way, instead let them be creative ● Avoid asking too many questions at once ● Try not to take over playtime; your child learns best when they're in charge sometimes ● Don't interrupt their play or thought process too often   Remember: Every child develops at their own pace, and there's no "wrong" way to play. If you ever have questions about how your child is playing or communicating, don't hesitate to ask your child's therapist!   References: Oddo, J. M., & Castleberry, L. (2018, May). The Importance of Play in the Development of Language Skills. https://www.theministryofparenting.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Importance-of-Play-in-the-Development-of-Language-Skills.pdf    Shenfield, Dr. T. (2025). The importance of play in social skills development. Child Psychology Resources by Dr. Tali Shenfield. https://www.psy-ed.com/wpblog/play-and-social-skills-development/   Watson, L. R., Boyd, B. A., Baranek, G. T., Crais, E. R., Odom, S. L., et al., (2011). Advancing Social-Communication and Play (ASAP): An intervention program for preschoolers with autism. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   CONTACT US Share Tweet Forward Website Facebook Copyright © 2025 Cutting Edge Pediatric Therapy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or offline form Our mailing address is: Cutting Edge Pediatric Therapy 900 Junction Drive Allen, TX 75013 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list