Play in Preschool: Why does it matter?

Parents often hear of the importance of play in preschool. But playing with dolls and blocks seems to have little to do with the academic knowledge that children will need to succeed in kindergarten. So why is it so important?  

Play is the foundation for all learning for young children, and giving your child the time and a few basic toys can provide her with a variety of valuable learning opportunities. “Play is how children begin to understand and process their world,” says Angie Rupan, programme coordinator for the Child Development Centre in South San Francisco, CA, and early childhood educator for over 20 years. “Children's play unlocks their creativity and imagination and develops reading, thinking, and problem-solving skills as well as further develops motor skills. It provides the base foundation for learning.”

Why is play so important and what do preschoolers learn when they play? Try a few of these simple ideas with items you have around your house and learn about the educational benefits that each can provide for your child.

Language and Vocabulary Development

When playing with other children or adults, vocabulary and language skills are fostered. Your child will listen and learn the language she hears without even realizing. Children will learn to use language to communicate meaning as well as pick up new words and hear the grammatical structure of the English language.

• Vehicles and Animals. Playing with cars, trucks and trains, as well as animals, provides for many new vocabulary words as children learn the names of each, what they do, what they eat or where you can find them. Additionally, children and adults can create all kinds of scenarios in which the vehicles or animals might find themselves, providing for further language and vocabulary development.
• Dollhouse and Dolls. Playing with a dollhouse or dolls allows your child to reenact what happens in her everyday life, using the words and phrases she hears. You are likely to hear your own words come out of her mouth as she recreates events that have happened, perhaps with an outcome more suited to her liking!

Imagination and Creativity

In our fast-paced and high-tech society, children have fewer and fewer opportunities to use and develop their creativity. Children who are not given

frequent opportunities to play may have a difficult time entertaining themselves, as they simply do not know what to do without instruction. By providing opportunities for open-ended play, your child will automatically get her creative juices flowing, and the possibilities are endless.

• Dramatic Play. Provide a few props, such as dishes and play food, empty food boxes and a cash register or stuffed animals and a doctor’s kit, and your child will be transported into a different place! Watch and be amazed at what she will come up with as she plays.
• Craft Supplies. Without a specific project to complete, provide your child with a variety of craft supplies such as markers and crayons, scraps of fabric or paper, empty boxes or containers, glue, buttons and stickers. Allow her to create anything she likes and watch her inner artist emerge!

Problem Solving and Mathematics

Children can solve complex problems that arise as they play and learn a few mathematical principals as well. Blocks and puzzles are excellent “basics” to

provide your child with many opportunities to foster these important skills.

• Blocks. Playing with blocks provides for many problem-solving scenarios. How can we make it balance? How tall can we make this tower? Can we build a castle? Children also learn some basic math concepts with the various shapes and sizes of the blocks.
• Puzzles. When trying to make puzzle pieces fit, children are gaining important maths and problem solving experience. Learning a bit about sizes (is the piece too big for that spot?) and shapes (does the shape of the piece look the same as the hole?) You can encourage this learning by engaging in conversations as your child plays. Your child will also gain an important sense of accomplishment as her practice leads to a completed puzzle in the end.

Gross and Fine Motor Development 

Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the legs and arms, while fine motor  development is building the muscles of the hands that will be used for writing. Play can provide many opportunities to work on strengthening these muscles without your child even being aware of it! 

• Stringing Beads and Lacing. Giving children beads and plastic-tipped laces provides a fun way to work on fine muscle control. Your child can create a beautiful necklace while strengthening the fine motor muscles. Lacing cards or child-safe needles and burlap will also provide fun “sewing” projects for young children. 
• Balls and Balance Beams. Kicking balls and walking on balance beams can help your child become more coordinated. Get outside and kick a ball around; create a goal area to make it a game. Anytime you see a narrow brick wall or wooden plank, give your child some assisted practice at balancing. 

Gather up the toys you have around the house and make it a point to provide ample time for play. Playing around with your child is sure to provide many

Work Cited

“Play in Preschool: Why does it matter?” education.com, education.com, https://www.education.com/download-pdf/article/32793/. Accessed Friday, February 20, 2026.