Play is one of the most important building blocks for all our learning. In our first five years we learn everything that will enable us to function as human beings, and most of that we learn by playing.
Importance of play
Every nursery rhyme you sing, all of the counting songs, and the games of 'peek-a-boo' all support a baby and young child's learning of their world and how it works; play is still a hugely significant part of children's lives as they start school and continue growing.
Through play we test our abilities both physically and socially:
- riding a bicycle
- balancing on a fallen tree
- playing snakes and ladders or ludo
- hide and seek
All of these things support a child’s growth and development we learn to lose, to take turns, to compromise with other children, to fall out and make it up; to make friends and keep them.
'Taking Play Forward' York's play policy
Over a number of years York has had a focus on the importance of play, which has been clearly visible through its policy, 'Taking Play Forward' (YorOK), first written in 2002 and refreshed in 2007, 2010 and again in 2013.