Page 24 - SEN115 - November/December 2021

Complementary Therapies
The importance of play for children
with special educational needs
Play is not just for the very young. Georgina Durrant gives advice on how play can be integrated into other activities, and the benefits it provides.
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Over the course of the pandemic there’s been a lot of concern over children with special educational needs missing out academically and whilst this may be true, I strongly believe that we need also to
focus on the fact that children have also missed out on play. Playing with friends, playing outside, playing with grandparents, playing at their friend’s house...the list goes on. And whilst play might be seen as something trivial it’s actually imperative for children’s well-being and their development of important skills.
I’d go as far as saying that for young children, play is the mechanism for learning.
Play is everything, it’s squishing play dough and in turn developing those important fine motor skills that help them learn how to write. It’s walking and balancing on the equipment in the trim trail and learning how to take risks and finesse their gross motor skills. And it’s falling out with a friend over sequins and learning those really important social and language/ communication skills.
Play doesn’t come naturally to all children. By supporting them with playful activities we are helping them to play successfully with others, developing their social skills.
“Play doesn’t come naturally to all children”
But what do i mean exactly by play?
There’s lots of different types of play, from sensory play to imaginative play and all types of play can benefit children’s development. And whilst play may seem like something that happens in early years education, I’d argue it is important for all children.
Sensory play (simply play that involves the senses) such as playing with sand, water etc. can be particularly calming for many children. It helps them to relax after a busy day and take time to process situations, making it fantastic for emotional regulation.
Risky play (play that involves children taking some level of freedom and risk over their play - within limits) can help children
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