1.1 Describe the benefit of play and leisure and how they contribute to children and young people’s development

This guide will help you answer 1.1 Describe the benefit of play and leisure and how they contribute to children and young people’s development.

Play and leisure are more than just ways for children and young people to pass time. They are core parts of healthy growth and learning. Play allows young people to explore, imagine, and interact with their surroundings. Leisure gives them time to relax, socialise, and develop hobbies. Both are important for physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development.

Play can be structured or unstructured. Structured play may include organised games, sports, or activities led by adults. Unstructured play is child-led and often spontaneous, such as free play in a garden or park. Leisure includes activities such as reading, drawing, listening to music, or spending time with friends.

The benefits span across different aspects of development, all of which link to the aims of supporting teaching and learning in schools.

Physical Development

Play and leisure activities have a strong impact on physical growth and health. They give children and young people chances to develop coordination, balance, and muscle strength.

Active play encourages:

• Running, jumping, climbing and cycling
• Fine motor skills through arts, crafts, puzzles, and construction toys
• Healthy bone and cardiovascular development through regular exercise

Physical play helps reduce risks linked to inactivity such as obesity and poor fitness. It promotes energy and stamina, which help children cope with everyday school activities. Leisure activities such as dance, swimming, or team sports encourage lifelong healthy habits.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development refers to how children think, learn, and solve problems. Play and leisure give them opportunities to practise planning, decision-making, and memory skills.

For example:

• Board games develop strategy and logic.
• Role play improves understanding of different perspectives.
• Building with blocks nurtures spatial awareness and problem-solving.

Leisure activities like reading or puzzle solving stimulate imagination and extend vocabulary. They help children to absorb new concepts in a fun way, making education engaging and memorable.

Emotional Development

Play allows children to express emotions in a safe environment. Leisure activities also give space to relax and manage feelings.

Through play, they can:

• Act out scenarios to process experiences
• Build confidence by mastering a new skill
• Feel pride when achieving a goal

Team games and group leisure activities teach patience, resilience, and coping with disappointment. These emotional skills help children deal with challenges at school and in wider life.

Social Development

Play and leisure provide opportunities for children to learn social skills through interaction with peers and adults.

Key social benefits include:

• Sharing and cooperation in group activities
• Negotiation and compromise in play decisions
• Learning how to respect rules and boundaries
• Understanding turn-taking and fair play

Social skills gained from play support smoother classroom behaviour and better relationships. Leisure activities such as clubs and youth groups give more chances to meet people from different backgrounds, which builds tolerance and friendship skills.

Communication Skills

Play often involves talking, listening, and interpreting non-verbal signals. Whether children are telling a story in role play or giving instructions in a game, they are practising how to share ideas clearly.

Leisure activities like drama groups or music ensembles strengthen both verbal and non-verbal communication. These skills help in all areas of schooling, from group work to presentations.

Creative Development

Many forms of play and leisure encourage creativity, which is the ability to think in new ways and create original work. Arts and crafts, singing, dancing, and imaginative play are all creative outlets.

Benefits include:

• Developing curiosity and innovation
• Practising self-expression
• Problem-solving through experimentation

Creative thinking can make learning in other subjects easier by promoting flexible approaches to tasks.

Independence

Play and leisure activities often involve making choices. Deciding what to play, with whom, and how to organise materials builds independence and decision-making skills. These moments give children a sense of control over their lives.

Independent play can boost confidence and prepare young people for taking responsibility, both academically and personally.

Rest and Wellbeing

Leisure time allows children and young people to rest their bodies and minds. This supports mental health and helps them return to learning refreshed. Quiet play, reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature can reduce stress levels.

A balanced mix of active and restful leisure activities can help maintain good mood and focus.

Play Types and Their Benefits

There are various types of play, each contributing to development in different ways.

• Physical play: Sports, athletics, outdoor games. Improves health and coordination.
• Constructive play: Building, creating, shaping materials. Develops problem-solving and motor skills.
• Pretend play: Role play, make-believe. Enhances imagination and empathy.
• Social play: Group games, team projects. Strengthens social skills and cooperation.
• Solitary play: Independent creative work. Builds self-reliance and concentration.

Leisure can overlap with these play types. For example, painting as a leisure activity can also be constructive play.

Cultural and Community Links

Play and leisure can introduce children to new cultural experiences. This might be through festivals, storytelling, music, or sports linked to different traditions. These activities help them understand diversity and appreciate different values.

Community-based leisure activities such as volunteering or group events encourage a sense of belonging and active citizenship.

Play in Different Age Groups

Play changes as children grow, but remains important at all stages.

• Early years: Play is mostly sensory and exploratory. It helps develop basic motor and speech skills.
• Primary age: Play becomes more social and rule-based. It supports learning about cooperation and problem solving.
• Teenage years: Leisure activities take greater focus and often centre on hobbies, sports, or social groups. They can relieve academic stress and promote healthy peer relationships.

Each stage benefits from both structured and free play.

Barriers to Play and Leisure

Some factors may limit play and leisure opportunities. These include:

• Lack of safe outdoor spaces
• Overuse of screen-based activities reducing active play
• Busy schedules with little free time
• Limited resources for toys, materials, or clubs

Workers supporting teaching and learning can help address these barriers by encouraging inclusive activities, promoting safe spaces, and supporting access to school-based resources.

Role of Adults in Supporting Play and Leisure

Adults play a key part in maximising the benefits of play and leisure. They can:

• Provide varied and stimulating activities
• Offer encouragement and praise
• Ensure the environment is safe and inclusive
• Plan activities that suit different interests and abilities
• Join in with play to model positive interaction

Adults help children link play experiences to learning outcomes, giving context and meaning.

Linking Play and Leisure to Curriculum Goals

Play and leisure are connected to many subject areas in school. For example:

• Maths skills develop in games requiring counting and measuring.
• Science skills grow through outdoor exploration and experiments.
• Literacy is supported by storytelling, role play, and word games.
• History and geography can be explored through themed play and trips.

When planned carefully, leisure activities can reinforce subject learning in an enjoyable way.

Developing Life Skills

Many life skills begin in play and leisure time. Skills such as teamwork, time management, and perseverance often develop naturally during these activities. Planning a game, organising club events, or learning a musical instrument are all strong foundations for adult responsibilities.

They also help children and young people manage risk and assess safety in different environments.

Inclusion in Play and Leisure

It is important that all children have access to meaningful play and leisure opportunities. Inclusion means adapting activities for those with physical, sensory, or cognitive needs. This may involve:

• Using accessible equipment
• Offering extra support or guidance
• Encouraging peer support and buddy systems

Inclusive play boosts confidence and helps all children feel valued.

Emotional Safety in Play

As well as physical safety, emotional safety should be considered. Play environments need to be welcoming, respectful, and free from bullying. Children should feel comfortable trying new things without fear of judgement.

Adults can promote emotional safety by setting clear rules, encouraging kindness, and dealing with conflicts promptly and fairly.

Final Thoughts

Play and leisure are not luxuries; they are important for healthy growth and positive learning experiences. They help children and young people develop physical fitness, thinking skills, emotional balance, social confidence, and creativity. A healthy balance of active play, restful leisure, structured activities, and free choice gives them the best chance to thrive.

As a worker in supporting teaching and learning, recognising the value of play and leisure means actively promoting them in school and community settings. By doing so, you help create environments where every child can develop to their full potential both in education and in life.