The Power of Play
When some think of ABA therapy, they might picture long stretches of structured tasks and adult-directed activities. But the truth is, a large portion of the most meaningful learning happens through play. Play is not just fun- it is one of the most powerful ways young children build their communication, and social emotional skills. Did you know, when a child plays, billions of neurons are activated inside their brain?
Play in therapy, parenthood, or with friends fosters genuine connection and trust. From there, it creates joy, motivation, and the brain chemistry needed to learn. In a fast-paced world with high expectations, it can be easy to put uninterrupted playtime to the wayside. This can be especially true once children start getting older. But play across all ages is essential; and at C&FD, play is our number one tool for teaching new skills. Below are some examples of different play types and their significance.
- Unstructured play is child-led, imaginative, and open-ended, with no pressure to reach a specific outcome. It does not contain rules and allows the child to manipulate their environment or toys as they see fit. One moment a child may be building a fort, and the next they may be pretending they are on a spaceship. Because of this freedom, unstructured play encourages creativity, exploration, flexibility, and independent thinking.
- Structured play has clear objectives and rules to follow. It commonly includes turn-taking games and activities. Other examples include puzzles, matching tasks, or adult-guided play routines. Coordinated sports also fit this play style. This play type is helpful when teaching specific skills like following directions, turn taking, waiting, problem-solving, and practicing communication. Structured play gives children opportunities to learn within a predictable framework while still having fun.
- Gross motor play gets children moving and helps them develop strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness. This play is anything that gets our body moving. This might look like running, climbing, jumping, dancing, riding a scooter, or crawling through an obstacle course. Beyond the physical benefits, gross motor play can also support confidence, regulation, and attention by giving children healthy ways to use their energy. Gross motor play can be incorporated into structured and unstructured play.
- Sensory and STEAM play are also great ways to encourage development and creativity. Sensory play may include water bins, play dough, sand, shaving cream, or textured materials that invite children to explore with their senses. STEAM activities bring in science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on experiences like building, experimenting, creating, and observing. These playful activities support curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, and flexible thinking.
Play is not just great for our kids either! Adults can also reap the benefits of play. This is the time to escape the formalities of the world and deepen the relationship with your child. Engaging in play helps adults with stress management, emotional regulation, and improving creativity. Our ABA team would love to answer any questions you may have. If you’re in the greater Charlotte, NC area, you can schedule a free phone consultation with a BCBA at Child & Family Development.
