From a young age, play is important in brain development. It supports the development of attention, concentration, motor skills, social skills and language. Play also helps children develop resilience, allowing them to have a more confident view of themselves and the world.

Play is a key element in helping children discover their emotions as well as how to manage them. Despite research that confirms for us the crucial role of play in child development, in today’s world dominated by technology, play is unfortunately regularly replaced by screens and devices.

There are different types of games, including: physical, social, constructive, fantasy, games with rules. Physical play is important for movement, balance and staying healthy and active. Social play promotes the development of social skills such as sharing, taking turns and developing language skills.

Constructive play helps children with their cognitive development using math, shapes, distance and sizes as children build, create and explore. Fantasy play promotes the use of imagination and promotes communication skills, social and emotional development, perspective taking as well as understanding how the world works. Games or games with rules help children develop social-emotional skills. This means that children learn to negotiate, cooperate, resolve conflicts, win and lose, and learn fairness and justice.

Children today have much greater access and use of technology and devices than ever before. Children under the age of two regularly access screens. Screen use among children includes television, tablets, smartphones, desktop or laptop computers, and gaming devices. This increased screen use reduces children’s exposure to essential areas of play such as outdoor/physical play, imaginative/pretend play, and in-person social interactions. As highlighted previously, these areas of play are essential to many areas of child development and various skills needed throughout life.

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That said, controlled and limited screen use has its place and can really make playing easier, especially with older children. Certain apps and games that challenge children in a developmentally appropriate way can promote learning and critical thinking in children.

Playing certain games on devices can help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. For children who find in-person socializing a stimulating and challenging experience, technology can provide an alternative platform for interaction where there might not otherwise be one. Keep in mind that socializing via devices should always be carefully supervised by adults to ensure safety.

For many parents, the challenge today is to ensure and maintain the important and central role that play plays in a world dominated by technology. We can’t eliminate screens from children’s lives and they have their role to play. However, it is essential that screen use is balanced with outdoor play that encourages activity and wellbeing; constructive play that supports cognitive development; in-person social play that supports the development of social skills; and imaginative play that promotes creativity and learning about the world.

Limerick Primary Care Child and Family Psychology Service is hosting an online workshop on the power of supporting your child’s cognitive, emotional and social development through play on Thursday 28 November from 10am – 11.30am. If you would like to attend, contact the psychology assistant on 087-3451489 who will record some of your basic information for registration. Registrations close on Tuesday November 26 at 11 a.m. Go to www.limerickservices.ie/parenting-courses for more information.

This article was written by Elisha Minihan, Psychology Assistant at the Child and Family Psychology Primary Care Department, St Camillus Hospital, Limerick. This service is a member of Parenting Limerick, a network of parenting and family support services in Limerick City and County.