I have often heard a lot of parents ask their children what they did at Nursery or at school and when the child says "I played ..." parents usually say oh, so you just played! not realising that through Play children learn and begin to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is a vital and healthy tool or exercise to the child's brain development. It is through play that children learn to engage and interact in the world around them at a very early age.
I am a strong supporter of children learning through play. Play allows children the opportunity to develop communication through speech and language skills as well as listening skills. Children talk and listen while they play. Secondly, According to Bergen, D (2002), "children who engage in pretend play tend to have more sophisticated levels of interaction with others" through the connections between cognitive ability and high quality pretend play. Thirdly, Play helps to promote the development of social skills. Children who play with their parents and peers learn how relationships work through their play experiences thereby allowing the child to form quality friendships.
Lastly, children tend to remember more what they learn through play (J. Dewey) just as adults learn through engagement or participation.
I hope this was useful.
Edith