Importance of Play

The act of play is critical in the development of children and animals. We have a biological need to play. Play occurs when we learn how to manipulate an object or a new movement pattern. During play, we learn the limits of our abilities in a controlled environment. This prepares animals for survival in tough situations where they need to know their limits. Luckily, we live in a time in which we aren’t likely to have to fight a wolf on our way to work. But on a much lighter side, the survival situations animals need to be prepared for can act as an analogy for a competition. Knowing what we are capable of allows for a better strategy and higher levels of confidence going into a workout. If we never play around and try new things, then we will never be able to implement new skills during our training. This fact becomes clear when considering gymnastic skills. We need play to build body awareness to learn the necessary minor adjustments inherent in a handstand walk, muscle up, butterfly pull up, or double under. It’s important that this play takes place in a controlled environment and not on game day. Play works great as a warm up or a cool down or as just a fun challenge between friends. Play is important to make progress, but it’s also flat out fun.     

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for a child, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” - Mr. Rogers