21 Developmental Benefits of Physical (Motor) Play

READ FIRST- The selection noted below provides an overview of physical play in early childhood and the benefits of this type of play.

• Read “Physical Play” (pp. 24-25) in The Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play and Learning by Dr. Rachel E. White for Minnesota Children’s Museum (~3 minute read)

CHOOSE ONE- Select at least one of the articles below to learn more about the beneficial reasons for children to engage in physical play.

• Child’s Play is Good for All of Us by Gretchen Reynolds (~5 minute read)

In this New York Times article, Reynolds shares different expert perspectives about the importance of physical play.

• Why Young Kids Learn Through Movement by Lara N. Dotson-Renta (~8 minute read)

In this piece in The Atlantic , Dotson-Renta provides information about how children learn through physical activities.