What Is Play? And Why It Matters More Than We Think

Play is a word we use all the time — but when we pause to really think about it, what does it actually mean?

As a mum and Early Years professional, I know that play isn’t always about toys or structured activities. It often happens in the everyday — in the small, familiar moments we might not always recognise as "play".

Take my daughter, for example. One of her favourite things is helping me with the washing. She helps load the machine, presses the buttons, smells the laundry liquid, and watches the clothes spin round and round. We talk while we do it — about the colours, the feel of the fabric, even the bubbles. She’s learning so much in that moment: taking turns, observing, experimenting.

If we look closely, we can even see schemas at play — the repeated patterns of behaviour children use to explore their world. She’s developing her understanding of rotation as she spins the drum, cause and effect as she presses the buttons, and the transporting schema as she carries the clothes from the basket to the machine. It might seem like helping, but it’s also deep, meaningful play.

So, What Is Play?

The dictionary defines play as “engaging in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” But in the early years, play is never without purpose — even if it might look that way on the surface.

Play is how children explore the world, express themselves, solve problems, and connect with others. It's a process, not a product. And most importantly, it looks different for every child.

Some children love quiet, imaginative play with figures and dolls. Others are happiest when they’re running, climbing, or getting messy. Some will spend hours stacking blocks, others prefer to line them up, knock them down, or turn the box into a robot helmet. It all counts.

Below, I’m going to share a few of my favourite theories and theorists—those whose work has shaped the way we understand children’s play and development, and whose ideas continue to inspire how I view play in everyday life.

Jean Piaget – Play Reflects Thinking

Jean Piaget believed that children's play reflects their level of cognitive development. As their thinking becomes more sophisticated, the types of play they engage in also evolve.

He outlined four stages of cognitive development:

• Sensorimotor Stage (birth to 2 years) – Children learn through sensory experiences and physical interaction with their environment.
• Preoperational Stage (2–7 years) – Symbolic thinking emerges; children begin using objects and language to represent ideas.
• Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years) – Logical thinking develops; children can solve problems with concrete information.
• Formal Operational Stage (12+ years) – Abstract thinking becomes possible; children can reason hypothetically.

In parallel, Piaget described types of play that reflect cognitive growth:

• Functional Play – Simple, repetitive movements (e.g., banging, pouring)
• Constructive Play – Building or creating something with a purpose (e.g., towers, puzzles)
• Symbolic/Fantasy Play – Using imagination and pretend (e.g., a banana as a phone, role play)
• Games with Rules – Structured play with agreed rules (e.g., board games, sports)

In practice: A child pretending a block is a car is demonstrating symbolic play, which reflects the growing ability to use mental representations — a key feature of the preoperational stage.

Lev Vygotsky – The Power of Playing Together

Lev Vygotsky focused on the importance of social interaction. He introduced the idea of the Zone of Proximal Development — the gap between what a child can do alone and what they can achieve with guidance.

Play, especially imaginative or role play, allows children to stretch their thinking and language skills. Playing with others helps them practise empathy, communication, and self-regulation.

In practice: When children play “cafés” and take turns being the customer or server, they’re not just having fun — they’re developing real-world understanding and learning through imitation.

Maria Montessori – Purposeful, Practical Play

Maria Montessori viewed play as a child's work. She believed children thrive in environments that encourage independence and hands-on exploration. Everyday activities — like pouring water or sweeping the floor — are seen as deeply valuable play experiences.

In practice: When your toddler helps fold socks or sort laundry, they’re engaging in practical life play that builds confidence, coordination, and focus.

Why Play Matters

Play is how children grow — emotionally, physically, socially, and cognitively. It allows them to test out ideas, take safe risks, and build resilience. Through play, children develop a strong sense of self — who they are, what they like, and what they can do.

When children play, they are:

• Exploring emotions and learning how to manage them
• Practising decision-making and problem-solving
• Strengthening their coordination and fine motor skills
• Learning to express themselves in words, movement, or creativity
• Forming bonds with those around them

Play is also one of the most powerful ways to nurture relationships. Whether you’re playing peekaboo with a baby, building a den with your toddler, or sharing a giggle over silly voices — you’re not just having fun. You’re creating connection, security, and joy.

Play is Everywhere — Not Just in the Toy Box

Play doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy. It doesn’t need a set-up, a perfect tray, or even a single toy. Children can and will play with almost anything — and their imagination turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Take a cardboard box. To an adult, it’s just recycling. But to a child? It’s a spaceship, a kitchen, a treasure chest, a house, or a racing car. Children don’t see limitations — they see possibility.

Imagination is one of the most powerful tools in play. Open-ended materials — sticks, fabric scraps, containers, buttons — can become anything. And in that freedom, children are free to express, create, and discover.

Whether your child is building a tower, splashing in the bath, or helping load the washing machine — they are learning through play. It’s how they make sense of their world, one small moment at a time.

So next time you join your little one on the floor, follow their lead, and step into their world. That’s where the magic of play begins.