Play helps children gain healthy emotional development because it allows them to express their conscious and unconscious experiences regarding their feelings about their life and things that are going on around them.
Play is important to a child's neurological development.
Toys are fun, but toys are also tools that help children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play is critical to the healthy growth and development of children. As children play, they learn to solve problems, to get along with others and to develop the fine and gross motor skills needed to grow and learn.
http://www. foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf
Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Managing feelings and behaviour
Understands that own actions affect other people, for example, becomes upset or tries to comfort another child when they realise they have upset them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Being kind to each other
In the past few weeks I have observed children being kind to each other.Tuning in to what children are saying makes it easier to understand their emotions and feelings as we get to know them.
K said goodbye to her mum today and went to look for her friends, J and M and E
She told them her news, saying, " you know that I falled down at the gate and I did cry coz I am very brave!"
J said, "you are ok now!"
K said, " I am not crying" and smiled.
Later, the two little buddies had fun at the sensory rice tray.
J and K were playing together and exploring the shells and loose parts in the baskets.
J held the shell to her ear and said, " can you hear the waves?"
K smiled and said, " yeah, I can hear the waves and the birds"
They both giggled.
An example of two friends enjoying little conversations during a happy encounter as they build on their friendship.
http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf
Personal, social and emotional development
•Aware of own feelings, and knows that some actions and words can hurt others’ feelings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Songs and music as we learn
This afternoon we were treated to music and movement to some exiting new tunes. The children responded in happy ways when we formed small partnerships to sing " row your boat"
It was fun when we made up new and different words to some familiar songs.
Friendships came into play when J was helped by E and H
All of our children show respect for one another and the learning takes place whilst we have fun!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
We played a little game involving shapes and recognising what shapes are. The children then looked around the room and we went in the garden identifying different shapes.
We realised that every object has a particular shape and it's fun to see which shapes are similar and which ones are different.
http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf
Mathematics- Shape, space and measure
Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects. •Shows awareness of similarities of shape
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As a parent, what is my role in play? Parents are their children’s first and best playmates. Parents have a role in being involved in their children’s play. Children tend to be more creative when their parents are involved in their play. The best play occurs when the adult plays alongside the child, rather than just providing the toys or supervising. Becoming part of a child’s play may take practice. Some parents feel that they need to give up “childish” things and “grow up.” However, this is not true for parents. Some suggestions for joining your child’s play include:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
• Observe. Watch your child closely to learn what he or she can do and has problems doing. Also,
be aware of your child’s favorite activities.
• Follow. Join in and play with your child so that he or she knows you are interested in what he or
she is doing. You can add to the complexity of the play; however, let your child be in control and
determine the direction of play. 
• Be creative. Let go of the adult idea that there is only one way to play with a toy. Use toys in different
ways, and you will be amazed at how many different ways you can play with one toy. Being creative will make playing more fun for you and your child.
