The Power of Play

Play is important!

It's fun and it helps children learn. Imaginative, creative play is essential for childhood development (and grownup development too!).

Imaginative play helps children to develop a critical cognitive skill: executive function. Executive function helps a child (and an adult) to self-regulate his or her actions. “Children with good self-regulation are better able to control their emotions, their behavior, resist impulses and exert self-control and discipline.” [NPR's Morning Edition] Also, children do better in school when they have developed their executive function to a higher level.

Imagine It! supports all types of creative play, from role-playing in the grocery store to becoming the driver of our crane. Through this play, children are learning and growing. They are becoming early scientists — “If I do this, then what happens next?”, and mathematicians - “how many apples can I put in this basket?”.

The links below provide more information on the importance of play in your child's life and how you can help facilitate that play — both in the Museum and at home.

NPR's Morning Edition:
Two great stories on the Power of Play.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19212514
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=76838288

The American Academy of Pediatrics:
A full report on the importance of play.
http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playfinal.pdf

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This page is found at: http://www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/parents/play