Research shows that there is a direct correlation between brilliant adult thinkers and excellent childhood players. Child's play is so much more than something which keeps children amused. Within play activities there are, at a child's level, the same situations as are met in later life. There are challenges to be met, problems to be solved, relationships to be established and difficult situations which call for innovation and improvisation.

Play is the necessary foundation of faculties yet to come and provides an all-round curriculum for cognitive, social, physical, linguistic and creative development. The inner activities of imagination, cognition and flexibility which are strengthened during play become the capacities for creativity, self-direction, logic and later abstract thought. Imagination and creativity enter into every aspect of life. To think up ones' own ideas and be flexible rather than conventional in thinking, referred to as divergent or 'open ended' thinking, requires opportunities to practice these skills. Play provides these opportunities in abundance.

Research has been carried out in different countries around the world showing that young children (up to age 7) learn best through play. All play involves free movement and it has been shown that children need to move in order to learn, as movement stimulates creative and intellectual activity in the brain. Therapies used to help learning difficulties often involve movement.

Children do not learn in the same way as we as adults do. They absorb information unconsciously and through imitating those around them. This is obvious when we look at how quickly and efficiently a child learns language through absorbing and imitating - not in the conscious and often difficult way we as adults learn. Attempting to make young children conscious of what they are learning can not only take the joy and enthusiasm out of learning but keeps the learning at a surface level with no great understanding or long term benefits.
Early childhood is the time for laying solid foundations - rushing children or attempting to get them 'ahead' of the vital first stages inevitably affects both the quality of their current learning and their ability to grasp academic concepts easily and enthusiastically in the future.

How can we encourage learning through play?
There are many things we can do to encourage learning through play. The moment play is structured, directed or planned by adults with specific 'learning outcomes' it ceases to be, by definition, real play. Freedom to explore and make individual choices must be the core of play.

What kind of toys do we need to provide?
Young children are constantly learning about the world around them through their senses. A good way to help is to provide a rich sensory environment. This includes a variety of things from nature - wood, natural fabrics, sand, water, clay, and opened ended materials that can be played with freely and encourage children to use their imaginations and to imitate things they have seen or experienced. 'Unfinished' simple toys such as wooden blocks of various shapes and sizes and cloths that can become a number of different things are highly recommended. A simple piece of cloth can be a cape for a king, a veil for a bride, a blanket for a baby or a table cloth for a picnic. The options are endless! This flexibility, inherit in the unfinished toys, leaves room for the child's imagination to grow and develop. These toys can be played with for hours on end, changing from one thing to another as the child's ideas flow. The best toys are those that require the child to use his or her imagination and encourage exploration. Nowadays many toys entertain children and there is little left for the child to imagine. We have all seen children open a whole pile of gifts on their birthday and then end up playing for hours with the wrapping paper and the boxes in which the gifts came!

How important is outside play?
Free outdoor play is an essential part of a healthy childhood. Time spent outdoors with nature - plants, animals, earth, and weather is important for a rich sensory experience. It also gives children a chance to run, jump, skip, climb freely, dig in sand and release energy. These activities help strengthen muscles, enhance body control and deepen children's awareness of the natural world. As mentioned, there is a direct link between movement and brain development, therefore the importance of strengthening and developing the body is vital. Ideally children should be able to play outside every day, preferably somewhere with space for them to run around freely and safely. Although it can seem difficult, there are plenty of children's play parks around Hong Kong (hopefully one not too far from where you live), beautiful beaches and trails for short (or long) walks. There are also some great places to visit for a day trip such as Tai Tong Valley Lychee Farm or Kadoori farm, where children can really get a chance to have some freedom in a natural environment. For more ideas ask at playgroups and schools or talk to other parents in your area.

How involved should adults be?
Allowing and trusting your child to play on their own and use their own ideas can be greatly advantageous. Through play children gain a source of strength which helps them to gain a true sense of themselves. The fact that children enter fully into the world of play helps them to experience themselves more fully and discover more about their own strengths and vulnerabilities. When adults play with or constantly entertain children, the ideas and goals can be adult driven and confrontations or problems that may arise are often smoothed out quickly without giving children a chance to try for themselves. When children play on their own or with other children they become very creative and learn to compromise, negotiate and problem solve. If we always do these things for them, they will always rely on others to give them ideas and solve difficult situations for them. Inwardly children invent the scenarios for play in their own unique way. There is evidence to suggest that children deprived of these important experiences may never develop their full imaginative potential. It is therefore essential that children are given opportunities for free and creative play.

Of course an adult nearby is important and gives security should the need arise. It may be that an adult can give encouragement if needed to get things started, particularly if a child has not yet experienced the opportunity of freely using their imagination. This may also help if your child is used to being entertained. Once things are moving along, the adult can withdraw and allow the play to take its own course. Often free child's play is centered around the very thing a child most needs to work on - freely chosen play reveals the inner most needs of a child and can be fascinating to observe. Note however, It is also helpful as an adult to occupy ourselves with some task nearby so that a child does not become conscious of us deliberately observing, as this can inhibit free expression. Children are comforted knowing adults are working nearby and can actually become more deeply engrossed in play knowing they are safe yet free from interruptions.

Nowadays we are experiencing an increasing number of children and adolescents with lack of motivation, social and emotional difficulties and it has been suggested that the decreasing opportunities for young children to play freely is one of the contributing factors to this problem.

Most of all, enjoy this precious time with your child when learning is joyful and wonderful and nature seems to provide your child with an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm! Encourage your child's daily learning by trusting in the amazing and powerful tool he has naturally to hand - that innate ability to play freely and creatively.