Play is necessary for children.

Nowadays, in pursuit of paper qualifications, parents often ignore the importance of play. Crowded environments with fewer open spaces for play exacerbate the situation as more concrete structures sprung up to replace available play space for children. Houses, unlike those of yesteryears, have hardly any room for play in small crowded homes.

Still, a child’s imagination and playfulness refuse to be suppressed by such unfavourable conditions and it starts to grow and develop from the day the child is able move around.

Actually, given the freedom to do so, the whole world is the child’s playground. This world is only limited by the adults who prevents the child from venturing to particular places, opening doors, objects and things to explore and try out everything within his/her reach.

One day, I went to some friends’ house to their child with one of the grandma’s slippers on one foot and the mother’s handphone in the other, trudging around, smiling at the worried faces of the parents.

The parents were worried about the cumbersome shoe causing the child to fall and, perhaps, wreak the expensive handphone in the process. As for the child, he was probably grandma waiting for the handphone to ring, wondering why his parents would look at grandma with such faces, finding their behavior so laughable.

There were times I have seen that child wander into one of the rooms to open drawers and cupboards to see what they contain. He would reach in and grab any object available, sat down and examine the objects. However, more often than not, the objects were snatched away out of his fingers, fearful that they could end up spoiled or broken.

I am not saying that parents ought not to prevent unnecessary problems but parents should take the opportunity to tell the child what it is and how it could be used perhaps. If the object is easily breakable, the parent could join in to hold the object as the child examines it. Then, tell the child that it has to be kept carefully in the drawer as it could be broken easily.

So, to a child, most objects in a house are playthings, things amuse himself or herself with, things to hold, to feel their texture and weight and to know.
When it comes to play outside the home with friends in the neighbourhood, it is the opportunity to know and understand the various types of people, to socialise properly, to share things and to cooperate with others. In the process, the child gets to realise the joy and happiness of living; the joy and happiness which is the essence of life.

It is in fact this very essence of life that makes living worthwhile. Without it, no matter the amount of money or property one has amassed, life is mere drudgery, leading some to early death.

Therefore, play is important as it leads to understanding and realising the essence of life. Play leads the child to exploration and exploration leads to interests which gives us the motivation to success in life; all of which brings us great satisfaction and happiness in life.

Finally, I wish to end this with an archaic saying: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Truth is found in those words.