10 reasons Castle Mountain kids learn and grow through play!

1. Play lays the foundation for literacy - ​children learn to make and practice new sounds, try out new vocabulary and exercise their imagination through storytelling.
2. Play is learning - it nurtures development and fulfills a baby’s inborn need to learn. 
3. Play encourages adults to communicate with the children in their lives - Adults support play by giving children opportunities to play, and by knowing when to intervene, and when not to intervene.
4. Play gives children the chance to be spontaneous - You may think your child should be rolling the truck on the ground but that doesn’t mean that the truck is not equally useful as a stacking toy.
5. Play gives children choice - Having enough toys or activities to choose from will allow children to express themselves.
6. Play gives children space - to practice physical movement, balance and to test their own limits.
7. Play gives adults the chance to learn how to play again - One of the most challenging parts of play is incorporating yourself in it.
8. Play allows adults to learn their child’s body language - Knowing when you should incorporate yourself in your child’s play is key.
9. Play teaches adults patience and understanding - If you do choose to join in your child’s play make sure that you do not try to take it over and force incorporation of your ultimate learning objectives into their play. Structured adult-led activities have their time and place but remember to allow for time for children to control and decide their own play.
10. Play is fun - Learning to play well, both by themselves and with others, sets children up to be contented and sociable.