Play
Play is any activity we take part in, where the purpose is fun, enjoyment and pleasure. This is true at any age!
Children use play to explore and understand the world. It is how they learn to communicate with others, test their limits and discover what they like.
As adults we can interpret a child’s play as communication. If a child keeps returning to something, they are showing us they like it.
Play can be imaginative or repetitive. Play can be creative or familiar. Play can be simple or complex. Notice and encourage play, whatever it looks like!
What you might notice if your child would benefit from support with their play skills
Your child might:
- always play with the same things and might need help to expand on this
- always play the same way and might need help to expand on this
- find it tricky to know how to play with toys
- look like they want to play with others, but find it tricky to join in
There is nothing wrong with how your child is engaging with play. Keep encouraging it. Our strategies and suggestions can help your child to expand their experiences. This will help them learn more about the world and their peers.
How you can help
Check out our Five Top Tips Video to find out more about how you can help.
Our advice leaflets contain lots of helpful information and ideas of things you can try at home to help.
Play - 5 Top Tips leaflet [PDF 268KB]
Recommended links
You might also find the following trusted websites helpful:
Tiny Happy People: The importance of play - BBC Tiny Happy People
Tiny Happy people has lots of activity suggestions and videos to watch about play.
Family Corner: Power of Play
Family Corner has been developed by the Early Years Alliance. There’s lots of information available to support communication.
What we can offer
Advice service
You can speak to one of our Speech and Language Therapists via our advice service. We can make suggestions about what might help and answer any questions you might have.
Our advice service is open every Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Tel: 01228 608177
Email: CumbriaCommmunicates@ncic.nhs.uk
Advice and support sessions
We run online advice and support sessions for parents and carers. A few may be helpful for your child. These include:
- typical stages your child will go through
- strategies you can use with your child
- ways you can adapt how you interact with your child
To book a place email: SLTCumbriaTraining@ncic.nhs.uk
To find out more about our other Advice and Support Sessions check out our Support Session and Training Available Section
Making a Request for Support
Speech and Language Therapy do not accept referrals for children who are only finding play difficult. Most often play will be an element of support for children who have other speech, language and communication needs.
Anyone, including parents and carers, can request support from Speech and Language Therapy. You can do this via our Request for Support Form.
The support we offer is always tailored to the needs of your child. Some children benefit from individualised support, others benefit from support in their environment.
This support is most likely to be in the child’s environment. It may look like:
- strategies to use at home
- strategies to use at nursery or school
- observation sessions
A Speech and Language Therapist may demonstrate play and how you could do something similar
We discharge at a point when:
- the adults around your child are confident in how to support their communication