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Writer's pictureAnnamarie von Firley

Unleashing the Superpowers of Play: It's Game Time for your Child's Development!


5 year old girl with long blonde curly hair descending stairs wearing blue cape with "super hero" sewn in felt on it.
Play supercharges your child's development

Hey there, fellow wisdom seekers! Brace yourselves for wild journey into the magical world of play and its mind-blowing impact on child development. Buckle up because we're about to dive into the nitty gritty of why play is so important. Get ready to learn to unleash those superhero play powers. Let's do this!


Photo of girl riding a bike through a puddle and boy jumping off of a rock
Active play helps to build coordination, balance, & strength

1. POWERING UP PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT:


Let’s get physical! Play time isn't just about bouncing around like an Energizer bunny; It's the secret sauce that helps our little ones grow strong, agile, and totally rad. According to the clever people at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), play keeps those muscles pumped, coordination on point, and helps maintain a healthy weight [1]. So go ahead, let them jump, run, and climb like mini ninjas on a mission. It's the key to unlocking their physical prowess!


Child sitting on floor with toys stacking multi-colored blocks
Building with blocks builds eye-hand coordination, problem-solving skills, resilience, & visual tracking skills amongst others.

2. IGNITING COGNITIVE FIREWORKS:


Get those brain cells sizzling people! Play is not just for giggles; It's a cognitive rocket booster that fires up our mini geniuses’ thinking skills. Whether they're building towers or rocking some epic pretend play, they're actually becoming problem-solving masters. The wise folks over at Montana State University’s Family and Consumer Sciences department say play helps kids make decisions, think critically, and even get all abstract [2]. It's like giving their minds a mental gym session, building resilience, and preparing them for the brainy challenges that await.


Boy wearing an astronaut suit with helmet is standing on a ladder with a girl in an astronaut suit without a helmet and points on the horizon
Imaginative play teaches children how to share, take turns, and navigate sticky social situations

3. MASTERING SOCIAL SUPERPOWERS:


Playtime is where our tiny heroes become social butterflies spread their wings and learn how to rock the art of human connection. Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), the guru of all things educational, says play is like a super serum for developing social skills, cooperation, and even empathy [3]. Yep, you heard it right, playing together teaches children how to share, take turns, and navigate those sticky social situations. They'll be Charm School graduates in no time!


Three girls on a bed having a pillow fight
Play helps children to build emotional intelligence

4. UNLEASHING EMOTIONAL NINJA SKILLS:


Emotions, prepare to be conquered! Play time is the arena where our little warriors learn to navigate their feelings like true champions. It's their safe space to explore, express, and understand all those crazy emotions. The AAP assures us that play helps them become masters of resilience, stress reduction, and handling tough situations [1]. So, when they're playing make believe and turning cardboard box into a spaceship, they're also harnessing their emotional intelligence like Jedi knights.


There you have it, my fellow adventurers in the world of play - proof that play is the ultimate weapon in the battle for child development. It is the secret sauce that powers up children’s physical abilities, ignites their cognitive fireworks, unlocks social superpowers, and unleashes their emotional ninja skills. So, let's raise our play flags high, dance like nobody's watching, and let the fun reign supreme. But, our quest doesn't stop here! As parents, caregivers, and guardians of play, let's remember to cherish these moments creating play-filled environments, and embrace the power of imagination. By doing so, we become the sidekicks that nurture our little one’s growth and help them unleash their full potential.


So, go forth, my playful warriors, armed with the knowledge and spirit of play. Let's conquer the world one epic play session at a time!

 

BONUS: HOW TO CREATE PLAY-BASED EXPERIENCES WHEN YOU HAVE NO TIME TO SPARE:

Distressed mom surrounded by children holding up a sign that says, "help".
Mental load is that nagging voice that haunts you with reminders about empty milk cartons, unbought gifts, and dirty bathrooms

We know that you're juggling a gazillion tasks, from grocery shopping to laundry folding, while managing your child's social calendar. Your to-do list is longer than Rapunzel's hair, and you're just one step away from joining the circus as a professional juggler. Amidst this chaos, finding time to research play-based experiences for your child's development feels as elusive as finding a unicorn in your backyard.


But fear not, weary parents! Fledglings' Flight has come to the rescue, swooping in with a playful parachute of fun and relief. We've got your back, and we're here to lighten your mental load with our fabulous resource for parents of 0-3-year-old kiddos. Hold onto your hats, as we introduce you to a repository of 100 to 200 play-based activities for each month of your child's life!

We've covered all the bases, folks. We've got activities that will make your child's fine and gross motor skills soar like a superhero, ignite their cognitive and social-motional brilliance, and even boost their ability to communicate and process sensory experiences. It's like having a personal development coach for your little one, minus the whistle and the track pants.

And here's the secret sauce: our team of experts have curated play-based exercises in each of six developmental categories that will make your child's growth bloom like a magical garden. We're talking mobility, fine motor skills, mental growth, emotional development, sensory processing, and speech. By selecting at least one activity from each category, you'll be providing your child with endless opportunities to explore new experiences and master those essential skills that will take them to the next level of awesomeness.


Photo of phone showing Fledglings' Flight app menu & open mailing box with developmental toys
Fledglings' Flight Basic Members can track their child's 812 milestones & Premium members receive a customized monthly Toolbox tailor to their child's unique developmental needs.

But wait, there's more! Basic Members of Fledglings' Flight can track not one, not two, but a whopping 812 milestones that your child should achieve by the time they blow out their fourth birthday candles. And for our Premium members (buckle up because you're in for a treat!), we'll send you a monthly "Toolbox" with developmental toys tailored to your child's unique needs. Delayed, on-track, advanced, or asynchronous, we've got the perfect toys to suit their individual developmental needs.


We take personalization seriously. Your feedback and the data you provide about your child's progress and experiences help us create a one-of-a-kind developmental profile. We'll be on the lookout for any lags or accelerations, like a detective solving a thrilling case. Fledglings' Flight is the only subscription service that customizes each month's box to cater to your child's specific needs. That's right, it's like having a personal genie granting developmental wishes!


So, what are you waiting for? Grab your superhero cape, jump on the Fledglings' Flight bandwagon, and let the magic of play take flight! Create your free account today at our online hub of awesomeness: https://www.fledglingsflight.com/premium-discount. Oh, and here's a little extra something to sweeten the deal: enjoy a dazzling 10% off a 3-month trial of our Premium membership. That's three months of customized subscription boxes, milestone tracking for a whole year, a treasure trove of 4,280 play-based exercises, and a resource library bursting with articles and papers on child development.


To claim your discount, visit https://www.adventuretowntoys.com/Subscript-Dev.html and use Coupon Code: FFPREGO2022. Your child's development is about to reach new heights, so buckle up and join the Fledglings' Flight adventure today. Prepare for liftoff!


 

References:


1. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd, Kenneth R. et al. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). January 1, 2007. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/1/182/70699/The-Importance-of-Play-in-Promoting-Healthy-Child?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

2. Anderson-McNamee, Jona K., Bailey, Sandra J., “The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Development.” Family and Consumer Science. Montana State University. April 2010. http://lanefacs.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/65563699/Importance%20of%20Play.pdf

3. Bodrova, Elena, and Leong, Deborah J. “The Importance of Play: Why Children Need to Play.” Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), September 2005. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234633527_The_Importance_of_Play_Why_Children_Need_to_Play

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