When it comes to playing for sure everyone will be happy to do it. In particular, children cannot be separated from an activity called play. According to Landreth in Zellawati (2011) play is a unique medium to facilitate the development of expression, language, emotion, social and cognitive. It can also facilitate communication and decision-making skills in children. Furthermore, play can be interpreted as the most complete form of self-expression that humans have ever developed. Apart from making a child feel happy, playing also has other functions for a child. But before discussing further about playing, let’s first discuss the meaning of playing according to the experts.

Playing itself has a definition as something that is done on the basis of his own desire to overcome difficulties, stress and challenges encountered and communicate to achieve satisfaction in dealing with other people (Wong in Saputro and Fazrin, 2017). In addition, Smith in Zellawati (2011) says: “Play for children consists of four basic modes that make us know about the world-imitating, exploring, testing, and building”. On the other hand, play is a natural means of communication for children. Play is the basis of education and therapeutic applications that require development in early childhood education. Tekin G. & Sezer O. in Suryanti, et al (2012).

Even more deeply, playing also has a very important function for the development of a child so that they can carry out their developmental tasks to the fullest. Here are some of the functions of playing for children according to Mutiah (2010):

  1. Develop sensory sensitivity

By playing, children can recognize various textures: smooth, rough, soft; recognize smells; know the taste; recognize color

  1. Develop motor skills

By playing a child can develop motor skills, such as walking, running, jumping, swaying, lifting, carrying, throwing, catching, climbing, swinging and balancing. In addition, children can learn to assemble, arrange, stack, color and draw

  1. Channeling pent-up physical energy

Playing can channel the excess energy that exists between children, for example: chasing. Excess energy that is not channeled can make children tense, restless and irritable.

It turns out that a simple thing like playing has a tremendous impact on a child from various aspects. By playing, a child is able to develop all aspects of himself, both cognitive, affective and psychomotor aspects. Therefore, it is important for a child to be able to play, both alone and with friends, because playing is a child’s need.

References :

Mutiah, D. (2010). Psikologi bermain Anak Usia Dini. Jakarta: Kencana Paramedia Group.

Saputro dan Fazrin. (2017). Anak Sakit Wajib Bermain di Rumah Sakit. Ponorogo: Forum Ilmiah Kesehatan.

Zellawati, A. (2011). Terapi Bermain Untuk Mengatasi Permasalahan Pada Anak. Majalah Ilmiah INFORMATiKA Vol. 2 No. 3, 164-175.