Summer is the perfect time for kids to play with water, even if the season is nearing its end. After all, nothing is better than water play to cool off on hot days. However, you will be surprised to know there is much more to it than meets the eye. Water activities are great for your little ones for various reasons. Read on to learn all about how water play benefits toddlers and preschoolers.
It is therapeutic
Water play is excellent for helping kids calm down and release tension. It is especially beneficial for hyperactive toddlers or preschoolers. Children love the soothing touch of water and its sensory stimulation. Sieving or running their hands through the water helps them unwind. Experts have often highlighted how sensory play is beneficial to little ones, helping them better understand the world around them.
Water play provides strength to toddlers and preschoolers
Splashing the water might be easy for you, but it’s not the same for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers. Since water adds resistance to activities like clapping, holding the ball, etc., your little ones must apply extra strength to move their arms and legs to enjoy any water activity. This, in turn, helps them develop their muscle strength. A perfect example to prove water does indeed help with muscle development is hydrotherapy for adults. While grown-ups use it for pain relief and treatment, the foundation behind water play and hydrotherapy is pretty similar.
It helps develop hand-eye coordination
Kids love to play with water, which is why you often find them splashing in a puddle. Whether pouring water from one container to another, filling their water bucket, swimming, or throwing objects to see the water make a grand splash, water play helps develop hand-eye coordination, especially among toddlers and preschoolers. Other than motor skills, water activities help your kiddos develop overall body coordination. For instance, while swimming, your kids learn to coordinate both sides of their bodies to move easily in water.
It also helps with concentration and focus
Water play can benefit toddlers and preschoolers by improving their overall attention span. When a child is indulging in water play, it requires a lot of coordination. One small mistake can spoil their game. That is why kids are very focused while playing with water. So, be it a paper boat competition, paddling in the water, or any other activity, little ones must concentrate on their movements to complete their game successfully. If you see your kids hyper-focused while playing with water, know that their little brains are trying their best.
Water play improves toddlers’ and preschoolers’ social and communication skills
The benefits of water play for toddlers and preschoolers are endless — one of which is developing their language and communication skills. Kids can easily build their vocabulary while playing in the water. Words like drench, sink, float, flow, etc., make so much more sense to them while playing, making it easier to grasp the somewhat complex words. These words are hard to explain without the little ones experiencing them, so water play is the perfect opportunity for caregivers to point out what those words mean. Moreover, when kids play together, they learn to communicate and socialize without extra effort.
Also, water play teaches children problem-solving skills. They easily understand why paper and leaves float on water, why stones sink, how to stop boats from sinking, etc. Overall, it allows your kids to use their imagination and develop creative thinking to solve the issues at hand.
Water play is not just for fun. It allows children to learn new things while playing. So, next time your toddler or preschooler insists on water play, we hope these benefits come to mind, and you allow them to play for their overall growth and well-being.
