Play can be fun, challenging and enjoyable for both adults and children. By helping children to take part in different types of play on their own and with others, and by providing a well-resourced play environment inside and outside, adults can greatly enrich the learning opportunities play provides. Play is an essential part of child's life. It is vital for the enjoyment of children as well as their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.
In June 2013 the Scottish Government published the first National Strategy for Play. This defined play as:
'play encompasses children 's behaviour which is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. It is performed for no external goal or reward and is a fundamental and integral part of healthy development which seeks to improve play experiences for all children. '
Play Strategy for Scotland: Our Vision, Scottish Government, June 2013
Play is one of the main ways children learn. It helps to build self-worth by giving a child a sense of his or her own abilities and to feel good about themselves. All cultural groups share play and playfulness across but with some variations according to beliefs and customs. In high quality early years settings, children should have opportunities to play, as well as to experience a wide variety of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Practitioners can build on children's home-based knowledge and experiences and provide opportunities for progression, extension and challenge. These activities can also successfully build on the child's innate joy in play.