Edited by Olatunji Eunice and Olorundare Oluwapelumi
Play is the spark that enhances a child’s curiosity, creativity, and love for lifelong learning.
It is one of the very foundations upon which all future academic successes are built.
In Nigeria, where education is highly valued, playing plays a powerful role in helping children develop essential skills needed to succeed in school or their chosen career.
In this article, we will explore the ways in which play can help Nigerian children develop academically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally.
Table of Contents
Cognitive Development
As an adult who spent his entire childhood in Nigeria, I can attest to the importance of play in cognitive development. Unfortunately, some parents today tend to prevent children from playing or associating with neighbors.
However, play is essential for developing critical cognitive skills, including:
- Problem-solving: Playing encourages children to think critically and develop problem-solving skills. Through play, children learn to experiment, take risks, and try new approaches.
- Creativity: Play fosters creativity, imagination, and innovation. Children learn to think outside the box, make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, and develop novel solutions.
- Memory and Concentration: Play helps children develop their memory and concentration skills. Games, puzzles, and other play activities require children to focus, remember rules, and recall previous experiences.
In the Nigerian context, play has been adapted to reflect local customs and traditions. For example, children develop higher aspects of cognition through games that involve traditional Nigerian music, dance, or art.
Social Development
Play is essential for social development, as it helps Nigerian children create and maintain family bonds and build stronger friendships. Through play, children learn to:
- Develop empathy: Play encourages children to consider others’ perspectives, feelings, and needs. Through play, children learn to cooperate, communicate, and resolve disagreements.
- Build better relationships: Play helps children form and maintain excellent relationships with peers and adults. Playful interactions increase a sense of belonging, create trust, and build friendships.
- Learn social norms: Play teaches children important social rules, such as respect for elders, domestic responsibilities, and sharing.
In Nigeria, play can be used to encourage social cohesion and unity, regardless of socioeconomic differences. For example, children can play games that involve working together to achieve a common goal.
Emotional Development
It is a fact that children who spend their childhood within the Nigerian community are mentally strong and prepared to take on life’s challenges. Play plays a critical role in emotional development, helping children:
- Develop acceptable emotions: Play helps children manage their emotions, develop self-awareness, and learn to express their feelings in a healthy and respectable manner.
- Develop self-confidence: Play helps to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of confidence. Children learn to take risks, try new things, and develop a growth mindset.
- Cope with stress: Play provides children with a healthy outlet for stress, anxiety, and fear. Playful activities, such as drawing, music, or physical play/games, can help children relax and forget about stress.
Academic Development
It is evident that Nigerians around the world are successful in the academic world. Yet, few are also aware that those Nigerians enjoy life away from books too. Because play lays the foundation for future academic successes by:
- Developing fine motor skills: Play helps children develop the fine motor skills necessary for writing, drawing, and using utensils.
- Encouraging literacy and numeracy: Playful activities, such as reading, folklore (storytelling), and number games, help children develop valuable literacy and numeracy skills.
- Fostering curiosity and inquiry: Play encourages children to ask questions, explore their environment, and develop a love for learning.
In Nigeria, play can also be used to support the national curriculum and encourage academic achievement. For example, children can play games that involve math, science, or language arts.
Local Nigerian Traditional Games
Here are some local Nigerian traditional games that can be adapted for academic development:
- Ayo: A traditional board game played with seeds or stones that promotes problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Kokoro: A game of strategy and skill played with a small ball that promotes physical activity and coordination.
- Ten-Ten: A running game played in teams that promotes physical activity and teamwork.
- Suwe: A game of athleticism and cognition played in teams that promotes problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Mancala: A board game of strategy and skill played with seeds or stones that promotes problem-solving and critical thinking.
Why Children Should P.L.A.Y?
PLAY is more than just a fun activity. It is one of the most important aspects of childhood development. Here’s what PLAY stands for:
P.L.A.Y:
- P — Promotes cognitive development
- L — Learns life-long skills through exploration and discovery
- A — Advances social and emotional growth
- Y — Yields better academic success
Recommended P.L.A.Y Activities for Academic Development
Here are some recommended play activities that can help children develop academically:
- Number games: Play games that involve counting, addition, and subtraction, such as “What’s Missing?” or “Number Bingo.”
- Literacy games: Play games that involve reading and writing, such as “I Spy,” or “Names/Nouns beginning with the letter—Y, Yinka, Yeti, Yaounde, Yam.”
- Science experiments: Conduct simple science experiments, such as making slime or creating a volcano.
- Puzzles and brain teasers: Engage in puzzles and brain teasers that promote critical thinking and problem-solving, such as “word/number puzzle,” “Ludo,” “draught,” or “chess.”
- Role-playing: Engage in role-playing activities that promote social skills, empathy, and self-awareness.
Conclusion
Play cannot be over emphasised, because it is not just a leisure activity—it is an important part of childhood development. Through play, children can develop invaluable cognitive, social, emotional, academic, and fine motor skills that lay the foundation for future successes. As parents, educators, and caregivers, it is essential that we prioritize play and provide children with ample opportunities for playful learning and other recreational activities.
We must also be aware that too much of something is good for nothing — we shouldn’t allow play alone to make up 100% of children’s activities. It should be moderated to the required minimum according to the individual child, and/or parenting style. The saying that “too much play makes Jack a dull boy” is true to the extent of saying, “too many books makes Jenny a bookworm.”
By accepting and carefully implementing play as a valuable tool for learning, we can help our children become the best version of themselves and reach their full potential. Let us give play the importance it deserves and create not only a brighter but also a memorable future for our children.
Read on: How Games Hone Essential Skills
