For young children, playing is much more than simple entertainment. It also contributes to their cognitive, social, and physical development. Preschool activities are designed to give children the chance to learn through play, laying a foundation that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Below are a few of its advantages.

Cognitive Development

Babies are born with dense connections of neurons in their brains—much more than adults. Playing lights up these pathways, strengthening the connections.

As children grow up, unused neurons get culled out to make their brains more efficient. The more mental pathways they use, the more neurons they’ll carry with them into the future. This gives them the cognitive ability to learn new skills, excel in school, and succeed professionally.

Social Development

Many preschool activities involve playing in groups, whether it’s a game of tag or quietly stacking blocks with their peers. In these social interactions, children learn to negotiate, share, and follow the rules.

Playing also often involves play-acting, in which children take on different roles. For instance, two kids might decide that they are partners on a superhero team, or they might pretend they are running a restaurant and serving guests. Pretending to be another person and interacting with other characters teaches them to walk in someone else’s shoes, which is essential for developing empathy.

Physical Development

Physical games, like hide-and-seek, increase muscle mass and bone density. Crafts projects and playing with smaller toys also contribute to hand-eye coordination and help children develop manual dexterity. Learning to use their fingers to pick up small objects today can be a stepping stone to strumming a musical instrument or repairing a delicate piece of machinery someday.

At the Merry Manor School Of Childhood in Lincoln, NE, kids can enjoy enriching preschool activities in a fun-filled, relaxing environment. Their friendly, professional staff members provide services for children as young as six weeks up to 13 years old, and truly bond with the children they teach and care for. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings. Call (402) 466-2215 to schedule a tour.