Play is often seen as something children do before real learning begins.
In Early Years, play is encouraged, protected, and celebrated.
But as children move into Year 1 and beyond, learning becomes more formal — lessons are more structured, outcomes are more defined, and play quietly slips down the priority list.
Yet play doesn’t stop being important once children turn five.
In fact, it becomes even more vital.
What play really teaches children
When children play, they are constantly learning, often without even realising it.
Through play, children develop:
- Balance, coordination, agility, and spatial awareness
- Social skills such as turn-taking and cooperation
- Emotional skills like managing excitement, frustration, and disappointment
- Confidence in their bodies and decision-making
- Understanding of simple rules and boundaries
Play allows learning to happen in a way that feels safe, enjoyable, and accessible to all children, not just the confident or sporty ones.
A session story: learning through play
Last week in our sessions, we played a game called Wave Jumping.
The children had four rows of cones laid out across the hall — these were the “waves” they had to jump over. At the far end, they collected a piece of “treasure” (a beanbag) and then jumped back again.
The twist?
I stood in the middle as a crab, trying to catch them. If I caught them, they had to drop the treasure.
It was full of laughter and excitement, but underneath the fun, so much learning was happening.
Children were:
- Jumping and landing safely
- Moving through space with awareness
- Dodging and changing direction
- Following rules
- Learning to win and lose
- Building confidence through success
What made the game special was how adaptable it was.
Older children loved the challenge when I really tried to catch them.
Younger or shy children experienced success by dashing past and “beating the crab”.
Every child was included. Every child was learning.
Why play matters even more as children grow
As learning becomes more formal in school, some children begin to feel that movement and sport are about getting it “right” rather than enjoying the process.
Play brings joy back into movement.
It removes pressure.
It creates opportunities for success.
It allows children to learn at their own pace.
When children enjoy moving their bodies, they are more likely to stay active, not just now, but long into the future.
Play is the foundation, not a distraction
Play isn’t a reward for finishing the “real work”.
It is the work.
If we want children to build confidence, resilience, and a positive relationship with sport, play needs to stay at the heart of how they move and learn.
This month at Roarsome Sport, we’re celebrating play and everything it gives our children.