From page 9 of the New Playwork handbook
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Play is vital to the evolution of the species
Evidence suggests that the urge to play is instinctive in humans and other mammals. Play enables children to acquire skills and knowledge from their environment, from peers, from family and other adults. Most importantly, play enables children to develop flexible and adaptable responses to changes in the environment and in life circumstances. Such abilities may be essential to survival (such as staying safe, negotiating, standing up for ourselves and making decisions) and adapting to our environment.
Evidence is growing that from an early age, play helps to activate 'neural pathways' within the child's brain that would otherwise remain unused. Play can therefore help children to use their brains to their full potential.
About Brain Development on fostering and adoption research in practice.org.uk
and
baby play ideas to keep every day a new or revisited adventure
