Make Time to Play: The Precious Value of Play Time

July 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Play time is one of the most enjoyable parts of parenting - nothing beats playing games with your children and seeing the delight it brings them. But the modern parent is constantly pushed for time and occasionally play time is sacrificed in a day packed full of every-day necessary tasks. Leading online retailer of educational toys DiscoverMe (http://www.discovermetoys.co.uk/) knows the precious value of play time, and is encouraged by the launch of a new campaign that asks parents to ‘Make Time To Play’.

This summer, the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) is spreading the word about the important role of play time in a child’s development. The Make Time To Play initiative will be promoting play time through nationwide events and activities, a series of television advertisements and via its website at www.maketime2play.co.uk. There will even be an annual Playday, starting this year on 4th August, which will feature a whole host of local activities which parents and children can join in with.

So why is play time so vital in your child’s life – why should we ‘make time to play’, aside from the simple enjoyment it brings to both parent and child? Scientists and child development experts have identified at least 16 different types of play, from physical and social play, to creative and exploratory play. Ensuring your child is regularly taking part in as many different types of play as possible means that they will be encouraged to develop a myriad of skills. Physical play increases fitness and endurance; social play develops empathy, bonding and sharing; creative play helps children develop a lively imagination and express themselves in a number of ways; while exploratory play encourages questioning, confidence and perseverance. These are just some of the types of play and subsequent benefits in developing a healthy, happy and well-rounded child. Maketime2play.co.uk has a helpful section which lists all the types of play, the benefits that they offer and practical ideas on how to introduce them into your child’s play time.
DiscoverMe is encouraged to see a nationwide campaign promoting what it has long believed to be one of the most important roles in parenting: finding time for play. That’s why all of the childrens toys in the DiscoverMe range have been hand-picked for their ability to bring joy and excitement to children, while also developing core skills. Parents can choose from activity toys that keep a baby or infant busy and active; musical toys which promote creativity; and educational toys which help stimulate a growing brain. The range is helpfully divided into the six key learning stages of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to make it even easier for parents to equip themselves and their children with the right toys for all the different types of play. The DiscoverMe website also features a Play and Learn section which has regular articles on play and development from psychologist, mother and director of the charitable organisation L.I.F.E., Sarah Parry.

To find out more about the Make Time To Play campaign visit www.maketime2play.co.uk; to help get the very best from your play time, visit http://www.discovermetoys.co.uk/.
Editor’s Note: DiscoverMe (http://www.discovermetoys.co.uk/) is represented by the digital marketing specialists and SEO provider Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

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Editor’s Note: DiscoverMe (http://www.discovermetoys.co.uk/) is represented by the digital marketing specialists and SEO provider Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.