A child at play learns to reach, crawl, walk, run, climb, jump, throw, catch and balance. Children learn how to use hands and fingers in more advanced ways as they play with different toys. Children learn about shapes, colors and sizes through play. As a child plays with others, he or she uses new words for favorite playthings and activities. Learning to follow directions, cooperate, take turns, and play by the rules and share are important things to know when playing with others.
Children are happy, learn to be with others, and show their feelings as they play.
They learn to feel good about themselves and other children. When a child pretends to be a doctor, a teacher, a parent, or a firefighter, he or she learns that life is full of possibilities. Perhaps most important of all, play is fun . Years later, when we recall our childhood, it is the happy times spent playing with special people that we remember.