The Importance of Play in Early Childhood 

Play is crucial for children’s development as it fosters cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth, while nurturing imagination and creativity. Meaning play provides the all-important building blocks for your little one’s development – bring more play into their everyday, and watch their skills soar!  

Here at the LEGO Group, we take play very seriously and realize how fundamental it is for skill-building in kids. That’s why we introduced Learning Through Play, to help children subconsciously train those important life skills through their early years – and have fun in the process! 

Table of Contents 

• Why is play important? 
• What are IQ skills? 
• What are EQ skills? 
• Stages of play 
• Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is play important? 

Play is key to your child’s learning and development, highlighting the importance of play in early childhood as a crucial part of their upbringing. It probably comes as no surprise then that play aids so much of that early development – especially between the ages of one and five. In fact, it’s scientifically proven that the importance of play lies in its ability to help kids learn new life skills to take with them into the future. 

Which is music to our ears because, well… kids love to play! Play comes in many forms but is defined as an activity for enjoyment or amusement, rather than for a practical purpose. From babies playing with food in their highchair and toddlers making mud pies in the garden to preschoolers role-playing with toys, children learn something new through play every day. Recognizing the importance of play in these activities can enhance their developmental benefits. 

Here’s 10 reasons that explain the importance of play in child development: 

1. Stimulates cognitive growth and development: Play enhances brain development by improving memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Activities like puzzles and building blocks challenge children to think critically and develop spatial awareness, underscoring the importance of play in cognitive development. 
2. Promotes physical health: Active play boosts motor skills, strength, and coordination. Games like tag or obstacle courses encourage movement and physical fitness, supporting overall well-being. 
3. Facilitates social skills and interactions: Play teaches children how to cooperate, share, and communicate with others. Group games and team sports foster collaboration and help kids learn the dynamic of working together. 
4. Supports emotional development: Through play, children express emotions, build resilience, and develop self-confidence. Role-playing scenarios and pretend-play allow them to explore feelings and practice empathy in a safe environment. 
5. Encourages creativity and imagination: Open-ended toys and play allow kids to invent and explore new ideas. Art projects and storytelling activities let them express their creativity and imagination freely. 
6. Enhances language skills: Play expands vocabulary and communication abilities. Engaging in storytelling and role-playing helps children articulate thoughts and improve language proficiency. 
7. Provides stress relief: Play offers a fun outlet for stress, helping kids feel more relaxed and feel happier. Activities like dancing or free play allow them to release energy and unwind, supporting healthy emotional regulation. 
8. Boosts critical thinking: Play challenges children to think critically and make decisions. Strategy games like chess or board games require planning and foresight, enhancing analytical skills. 
9. Develops self-regulation: Children can learn to control impulses and manager their behavior through play. Games with rules, such as “Simon Says”, teach both patience and discipline. 
10. Broadens cultural understanding: Play can introduce kids to different cultures and perspectives. Activities like multicultural storytelling or global-themed role play expand their worldview and empathy, reflecting the importance of play in fostering cultural awareness. 

It’s no exaggeration to say that play and playful learning is like rocket fuel in those early years! Understanding the importance of children's play, you can help your child build on all the essential skills mentioned above by playing with them, setting activities, and introducing toys that aid development. 

And our LEGO DUPLO sets have you covered – they’re specially developed and based on scientific research to help train EQ and IQ skills in the early years, as well as being tailored to your child’s age or developmental stage. 

For example, our blue sets have been designed to aid Logical Thinking (IQ) and Expressing Yourself (EQ). Our green sets, on the other hand, are all about Creative Solutions (IQ) and Learning Patience (EQ). Just look for the colors on the box! 

What are IQ skills? 

IQ skills are associated with the mind, also known as logical thinking. IQ skills can be anything from cognitive and physical to creative development in your child, so it covers a few bases. But in a nutshell, it’s when your kid starts to realize stuff! We like to call them ‘lightbulb moments’, let’s go through some examples. 

Cognitive skills 

Picture this. You look at your baby, and you stick your tongue out. To your surprise, they copy you and do it right back! This is an example of a cognitive skill. 

Cognitive development is about how children think for themselves and start to figure things out. For example, understanding colors, recognizing animals or mimicking someone. 

Physical skills 

It should come as no surprise that kids like to move and love to get messy! As tempting as it is to try and keep them spotless (step AWAY from the glue stick!), this kind of play is vital for developing fine motor skills, which require a coordinated effort between brain and muscles. Recognizing the importance of play in physical development can enhance these skills. 

Little ones rely on these skills to perform key physical tasks, like building, pulling apart and picking up LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, or using their finger to point to something, like the airplane in the sky. 

Top tip: help train sensory motor skills and hand-eye coordination by introducing toys to bath time! (P.S. Here’s why toddlers love bath time so much!). 

Creative skills 

As we know, kids have BIG imaginations. Playing make-believe and creating imaginary worlds or scenarios are great examples of creative skills! As preschoolers get a bit older, they become more curious and imaginative and start to use their creative minds. 

Top tip: get more imaginative play in! Toys that include characters are great for role-play, so kids can re-create what’s in front of them. Try our LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig sets! 

What are EQ skills? 

EQ skills, on the other hand, are all about the heart – they support emotional development in the early years. Peace and love, people! Social and emotional skills can help your child express and understand themselves (as well as others) better. These skills prepare them for childcare settings and social interactions. 

Social skills 

Social skills become more important as kids start to interact with one another. Play helps kids build relationships, communicate with each other and learn to play well together. 

A simple way to nurture little ones’ social skills is by getting involved in playtime yourself, communicating with them as you play. We know playing doesn’t come so easily once you’re a grown-up, but don’t worry! Our fun guide on re-learning the art of playing will help you get more play into your family’s lives – and hey, you might enjoy it, too! 

Top tip: organize a regular LEGO DUPLO playdate to introduce your little one to collaborative play at an early age! 

Emotional skills 

At two years old, children can start expressing their feelings. Isn’t that an amazing milestone for a 2-year-old? They’ll also begin to understand themselves better and learn to manage their own emotions. Yep, they’re becoming proper little humans! 

For example, toddlers may feel frustrated and sad when they can’t do something. But within minutes, they try again and succeed! They’re becoming more aware of their strengths and weaknesses and understand how it feels to accomplish something. As grown-ups, we can validate our child’s feelings when they express them, and help them to articulate them when needed. 

At this age, kids also start to feel empathy for the first time, strengthening this skill as they get older. You can help nurture this skill at home by reading books to them about characters with emotions. 

Stages of play 

There are six stages of play, and kids all pass through them at different times. After all, every child is wonderfully unique, so why wouldn’t their playing be? Read all about the 6 stages of play here.  

Within stages of play there are different types of play that each support different developmental purposes. They cater to the above-mentioned aspects of growth, such as physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. This diversity in play ensures children can develop a wide range of skills and abilities, helping them become well-rounded individuals. 

As parents and caregivers, we can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get things right – and this is when anxiety can sneak in. According to Statista, 1 in 4 parents worry that their child isn’t meeting milestones. But we want to tell you you’re doing a great job! Kids reach milestones in their own time, and in their own way. Understanding these milestones for 1-year-olds or older toddlers can offer valuable insights, helping you feel more confident in your child’s unique journey. 

With more play, you can help your little one start off BIG by putting the fun into learning, right from the start!