CHILDLINE ADVICE: Why play time is crucial to your child’s development

At Childline, we know from NSPCC research that play helps to develop a child’s brain, covering many aspects of physical, emotional and mental skills. But it’s also important for helping children to interact with others, and do something they enjoy to promote positive wellbeing.

As we approach National Play Day, I want to talk about how crucial play is for children and young people, especially now, as many children can’t interact with their friends like they used to before lockdown.

Even as lockdown is easing, it’s not uncommon for children to tell our Childline counsellors that they’ve been feeling isolated and are experiencing a summer very different to the one they had expected.

Many have also said that they want to spend time with their parents but, now parents are balancing working from home with childcare, they’re busier than ever. This can leave many children feeling alone and often bored: “My parents are constantly talking about work. I ask them to play something, and they just say they’re busy and carry on talking.”

Even though we are all facing our own struggles with lockdown, it’s good to find time to play with our children. This is especially important in households where there is only one child, as they may be feeling lonely, and missing out on the interaction they would usually have from school and social events.

So, how can we play with children?

Younger children might enjoy playing make-believe together, going on scavenger hunts through the garden, or building cardboard forts. Child-led play tends to be favoured by younger children, and helps them to develop social and motor skills for movement control.

If they’re a bit older, they might enjoy colouring together, or playing video games. Children can also use the Childline website to access free online games and activity ideas, as well as use the moderated message boards to talk to other young people.