Why children need to play!

In our parenting class, we explore the developmental benefits of pretend play. Symbolic play — where a banana becomes a phone or a child “cooks” invisible soup — is not just fun; it’s how young children process feelings, explore relationships, and make sense of the world. We highlight the unique value of unsupervised, imaginative play over overly structured activities. Giving children time and space to play freely (without adult direction) fosters creativity, problem-solving, and emotional resilience. We also focus on developing the capacity to be alone, an essential building block of self-regulation and independence. In a modern world of over0scheduling, we advocate for the importance of home-based playtime, where a child feels safe to imagine, explore, and just be. Join us as we learn how to protect and encourage this essential form of growth.