Why Are Play Skills Important?

Play is a big part of how kids learn and grow. It’s not just about having fun—it’s also how they practice thinking, sharing, and exploring. Play helps kids to solve problems and be more creative.

However, many young children with ASD do not have strong play skills. They might only be interested in certain items or rewatch one TV show repeatedly. Their intense interest in one or two activities is fine. But, building different play skills in therapy can lead to huge skill growth later.

Types of Play and Their Benefits

There are many types of play, and each one helps kids in different ways:

  • Social Play: When kids play with others, they learn to share, take turns, and work as a team. Games like hide-and-seek or playing house are great for this.
  • Imaginative Play: This play is when kids are pretending. Pretending to be a chef or a superhero lets kids use their creativity and explore their interests.
  • Physical play: Lots of outside time can help! It builds strong muscles and improves their motor skills.
  • Constructive Play: Activities like building with blocks or drawing pictures help kids develop problem-solving and planning skills. It is also a great activity to promote learning academic skills later.

Each type of play is important for growing the body and the brain.

How to Encourage Play Skills at Different Stages

Every kid is different and will develop various types of play at different stages. Here are some ideas for each stage:

  • Simple cause and effect: Use simple toys like rattles or soft blocks. Focus on showing what each toy can do, then have them try. This stage is great for building strength and interest in new activities.
  • Building and pretend play: Legos or drawing are great here! Encourage them to stack toys, solve simple puzzles, or pretend to cook with toy food. Be active in play, and model words you want them to learn.
  • Team and outside exploration: Finding a playgroup can be so valuable here. Support friendships, even if your child may seem uninterested at first. Try different activities. Help them explore the many outdoor options! These activities help with teamwork and creativity.

Give kids different activities. Be an active part of their play and encourage participation and exploration!

Tips for Encouraging Play at Home

Helping your kids play doesn’t have to be hard! Here are some easy ideas:

  • Make a Play Space: Set up a safe area with toys and activities they like.
  • Turn Chores Into Play: Sorting laundry or stacking cans can be fun and educational.
  • Join In: Play with your child to show them how to share, take turns, or imagine new ideas.
  • Have Family Playtime: Spend time together playing games or doing puzzles to bond and learn.

With these tips, you can turn every day into an opportunity for fun and growth.

How Play Builds Social and Emotional Skills

Playing isn’t just fun—it’s also how kids learn to connect with others and understand their feelings. For example, pretending to be a doctor or teacher helps kids practice real-life situations playfully.

Children who play together learn to work as a team and solve problems. You can help guide them through those moments if they argue or have conflicts. Teaching kids to listen and compromise during play helps them build empathy and kindness.

Why Rising Spurs Builds Play Skills

Play-based ABA Therapy means using play to develop skills. It can lead to big skill gains later! 

Encouraging a child to enjoy coloring might result in them sitting at the table and completing their work independently. Learning to sit can lead to a better experience for the family at the local restaurant!

Another example is language building. By helping your child understand cause-and-effect toys, we can encourage them to ask for different toys and actions. A strong, diverse set of play skills will boost language and academics. It will pay off for years to come, and it starts at Rising Spurs.

Rising Spurs is ready to meet you and your child and support you through the ABA process. Click the button in the top right to contact us and get started with ABA with Rising Spurs!