The Power of Play: How Play Builds Vital Skills in Early Childhood

By: Amber Urich, Youth Services Librarian, Winnetka-Northfield Public Library

Play is a crucial aspect of childhood that not only builds essential lifelong skills but also brings joy and fun. As Fred Rogers reminds us, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

Play lays the groundwork for a wide array of skills that influence every facet of a child’s development. 

Here are several reasons why play is vital for children: 

  1. Literacy – Play is essential for early literacy, helping children develop language skills and symbolic thinking, which are foundational for reading. It also fosters curiosity, a key mindset for learning to read. 

  2. Motor Skills – Play has a practical purpose, helping children develop gross motor skills through activities like running, jumping, and dancing, which enhance spatial awareness, strength, and coordination. It also builds fine motor skills through activities like using playdough, creating art, and pouring water. 

  3. Sensory Development – Our senses influence how we interact with the world, and messy play—such as playing with water, mud, or bubbles—helps children develop and refine their sensory skills.

  4. Confidence – Play builds confidence by allowing children to solve problems independently, set goals, take risks, and develop their sense of identity. 

  5. Wellbeing – Play supports social, emotional, and physical wellbeing by helping children regulate emotions, communicate, and discover what makes them happy. It also fosters essential life skills like organization, planning, and compromise.

  6. Stress reduction – Adults often forget that children experience stress too. Play helps reduce stress and gives kids a sense of control, as it releases endorphins that promote relaxation and well-being for all ages.

  7. It’s fun! - Ultimately, kids play because it’s fun! Each child enjoys different activities, and we encourage play for all its benefits and simply because it brings joy. 

The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District offers many different play opportunities every day! We offer a wide variety of programs for all ages and abilities to engage in play. 

Here are some of our favorite ways to play at the library this fall: 

(All the events included are drop-in and families are invited to participate no matter which community you live in. Here is a link to the Upcoming Events page.)

Art Play: Join us to explore art and creativity with self-directed stations for little ones.

  • Northfield Library: Wednesdays, September 4, October 2, October 16, November 6, November 20, 10am – ages 2+ with adult

Sensory Shenanigans: Join us for an hour of interactive free play. Activities in this program will foster fine and gross motor skills, and concepts through play! This program is sure to be a little messy (and fun!) so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!  

  • Winnetka Library: Fridays, September 6 & 13, October 4 & 18, November 1 & 15, 10am – ages 0-4 with adult

  • Northfield Library: Wednesdays, September 25, October 9, November 13, 10am – ages 0-4 with adult 

Messy Mondays: Drop in for a messy craft and leave the cleanup to us!   

  • Winnetka Library: Mondays, September 9, October 14 & November 4, 4pm – all ages with adult

After School Free Play: Join us after school for an hour of interactive free play. This program is sure to be a little messy (and fun!) so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!  

  • Winnetka Library: Wednesdays, September 11, October 2 & November 13, 4pm – ages 5+ with adult

Playdough Party: Join us for an afternoon of all things Playdough! Sculpt, squish, create, get messy,and work on fine motor skills! 

  • Northfield Library: Wednesday, September 18, 4pm –ages 2+ with adult

STEAM Play: Join us for an exciting hour of hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities.  There will be various open-ended activities for the littles.  

  • Winnetka Library: Thursdays, September 26, October 24, & November 21, 4pm –ages 0–4 with adult

Car Crawl: Little drivers will explore, zoom, and giggle their way through imaginative tracks and a mini neighborhood. So grab a toy car and get ready to roll!

  • Winnetka Library: Fridays, September 27, October 25 & November 8, 10am –ages 0–5 with adult

Play Reminders: 

  • Play for All Ages: Encourage older kids to continue playing to keep building skills and having fun.

  • Play for Adults Too: Adults can benefit from play too—just a few minutes can boost brain function and wellbeing. 

  • Simple Play is Good Play: Play doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate; focus on what’s meaningful and accessible.

  • Embrace Flexibility: Avoid rigid rules; let play be spontaneous and enjoyable for everyone.

Our favorite books on play:

  • We All Play by Julie Flett - Animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world.

  • Playtime for Restless Rascals by Nikki Grimes - Playtime for Restless Rascals is a whimsical adventure and rollicking celebration of playtime fun throughout the seasons. 

  • The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee - The Paper Kingdom is the story of a child who travels to his parent’s night job. There they come up with some creative play options to make the time pass.

  • Play Outside with Me by Kat Chen - Take part in an outdoor playdate-in-a-book, with small learnings and tender moments.

Amber Urich is a Youth Services Librarian at the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District where she runs Sensory Shenanigans and manages the Early Literacy Collection among many other things. She loves to connect with the community and foster literacy through play and exploration.  

Carly Andrews