1. Play happens when children choose what they do. When they follow their instincts, decide what to do and how to do it, and when they are doing it for their own reasons, they are playing freely. The results are extraordinary. Through play children learn that concrete is hard, that mud is gloopy, that bikes fall over and that balls spin. Through play they can make choices, take risks, and deal with the consequences.
2. Play also stimulates emotional growth and understanding. Through play, children can experience different situations, sample different perspectives and build confidence in coping when things go wrong. They can take time to quietly explore their own inner world. Children can express themselves creatively or they can just rest from the demands of others and recharge their batteries.
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