Play contributes to development

Physical development
Repeated movements-develops muscle strength and coordination
Develops gross and fine motor skills
Builds stamina by crawling, throwing and kicking

Intellectual development
Stimulates the brain as senses are used to explore materials, equipment and toys
Helps build ideas
Helps their imagination and problem solving skills
Helps the concentrate and focus their attention
E.g. toddler concentrating on building bricks
Encourage children to use language e.g. a toy telephone will imitate older children/parents.

Social development
Learn social skills
Playing with each other-helps with cooperating, listening and taking other peoples feelings and needs in to consideration. E.g. two 7yrs agree which game to play on the computer.

Emotional development
Express their feelings
Work out meanings of what they have experienced- e.g. a child scolding a doll which is imitating what adults have done
Helps gain confidence- being able to do things by themselves