Years of research on children's learning and development document the many benefits of play for children's intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and language development. Children at play are actively involved in creating themes, exploring and establishing environments, solving problems, and developing shared understandings.
Children play in many ways.
They play independently, sometimes near each other but with each child engrossed in his own activity. They also play cooperatively, organizing roles and scenarios for group play. As they get older, children are capable of more cooperative, coordinated play. But all kinds of play are valuable. As kids play with each other, they learn to see other children's points of view and begin to become more empathetic and caring.