Play takes many forms but the heart of all play is pleasure. If it isn't fun, it isn't play. While the exact nature of play evolves, becoming more complex as we grow, play at all ages brings pleasure. And with pleasure comes the powerful drive to repeat the pleasurable activity. And with repetition, comes mastery.
Mastery brings a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
The more comfortable a child feels with the world, the more likely she will explore, discover, master and learn. This cycle starts with curiosity. Curiosity, a neurobiological feature of many primates, drives exploratory play. Play can satisfy curiosity as the child explores their environment, thereby, expanding their catalogue of experience. When the child explores, she discovers.