• Play is a child's way of communicating; it is their language. Through play, children express themselves freely, manifesting a wide range of emotions and affections, many more that they can put into words. If we want to get to know our child, the best way is to play with her, get involved in her play, and take an interest in what she displays. Sometimes we spend a lot of time asking our children questions that could be answered by watching them play. Through play, we can find out how she feels, what she likes, what things she is afraid of, what desires she has, and how she experiences herself, her family, and her friends. This communicative aspect of play is very important for all children, but it is an essential tool to connect with children who do not have verbal language.
  

Through play we create affectional bonds with our children, we build strong bonds that remain over time. Through the interaction generated at playtime, we show the child that we are interested in being with them and having fun together. Parents need to have playtime with their children. In cases where there are more siblings, it is essential to have playtime together and individual and quality time with each one. It is even more important that each parent have particular moments to be with the child alone to strengthen the bond.

• The adult is the first toy that the child has, so it is essential to promote these play spaces to stimulate their affective and also cognitive development. Through play, the child learns new concepts, ideas, and values, attention is focused, understanding is improved, ideas are expressed, and decisions are made. Thus, play is a key element in stimulating healthy development in our children. Affective connections such as those generated through play with each other promote, very importantly, new nerve connections in the infant's brain.
  
• Through symbolic play, the child rehearses roles and social situations that are very important for their future. Playing, they learn essential rules (e.g., raising your hand and listening to your partner when playing teachers) and social skills (e.g., empathy and caring when playing doctors). Also, the child tries out different skills and tasks through play that allows her to explore her interests and passions from an early age
  
• When a child does not play, it should be a warning sign. In these cases, and when you see that the child's play is full of negative emotions, it is important to consult a professional to know the specific causes of the problem and help her as soon as possible.

Things to keep in mind while playing:

• Things to keep in mind while playing:

  • Have fun! Get into their world and become "children" for a moment and lose your shame.
  • Have a first moment where you can observe what the child does, what objects she is interested in, what actions she performs, etc.
  • Establish a play routine to make sure you spend some time playing with them every day. 
  • Promote the use of educational toys, like our sensory boxes, which are fun and motivating but at the same time, they stimulate learning and are beneficial for their healthy development!
  • Do not impose an activity if the child does not like it. Play does not have to be forced; it must be enjoyable and in line with the child's differences.
  • Don't compare him with other children. Celebrate and recognize his achievements and learning.
  • Tune in: sometimes, our sensory profile does not match the child's, and it is necessary to review and make adjustments (e.g., I am very loudly, and my child is sensitive to noisy sounds).

  And last but not least... Play it's not just for kids, so have fun!!

 "We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing" Charles E. Schaefer