Play is children's work, but play can be any activity that is fun. Children work hard at their play because they can make it up themselves. The best part about children's play is that it helps children learn while they have fun. Children benefit most from a balance of adult-led activities and activities that they think of themselves.

Play is a way for children to develop skills:

• Language skills when they play name games, sing songs, and recite jump rope rhymes
• Thinking skills when they build a block tower, follow directions to a game, and figure out pieces to a puzzle
• Small muscle skills when they string beads, make clay figures, and cut with scissors
• Large muscle skills when they play ball, run, and climb
• Creative skills when they make up stories, put on a puppet show, and play with dress-up clothes
• Social skills when they play with other children, discuss "rules" for a game, and decide who will play what part in a role-play

• When children's lives are overscheduled with activities, sports, and lessons, they do not have time to create their own play
• Structured activities should be a part of children's play experiences, but not the only ones
• When children watch too much television, they lose valuable time to play
• When children are “bored,” they will start to use their imagination and creativity

Useful Links
Alliance for Children
Fisher-Price Infant Games
Rethinking Children's Play
Toddlers: Play & Learning
KinderGarden
Sesame Workshop
Planning Play Activities
Motor Activities for Infants and Toddlers
Preschool Activities and Crafts
Art Activities for Toddlers
Fun & Educational Activies for Toddlers
Games for Children Age 1 to 5
Preschool Theme Activities for Toddlers
Talking About Me Activities for Toddlers
Toddler Activities and Games
Toddler - Activities