Most parents who have toddlers today have already heard of soft play, and it has indeed become a highly popular activity that toddlers can engage in. For many parents who have invested in soft play toys for their kids, it’s an excellent way to keep their toddlers occupied – but it can do more than this as well. In fact, soft play comes with more benefits than most of us may realise, and its benefits are more profound when it comes to the development of our children. But what are these benefits, and how does soft play help your child? Here’s a look at the top three advantages of soft play for your kids.
1. It enhances fine and gross motor development
As adults, we take movement for granted. We have, after all, been doing it since we could walk. But we have learned to move and control our various movements over time, and kids will learn two kinds of development for their motor skills: fine motor and gross motor development. Gross motor development refers to activities and movements like jumping, running, climbing, and skipping. On the other hand, your kid’s fine motor development consists of learning tasks deemed ‘delicate,’ such as moving things using their hands or balancing.
With soft play, your child can develop these different skills as they engage in various activities. Climbing and navigating through a jungle gym, for instance, can be delicate activities that require not just fine motor skills but also athletic capability.
2. It improves emotional skills and development
Soft play equipment for the home can also improve your child’s emotional skills and development, allowing them to interact and play with other kids. There’s no doubt that children will learn some invaluable skills when they play, including dealing with conflict and grasping other people’s emotions. With these skills, they can adapt and behave better once they are in school. When your child plays with soft play equipment or in a soft play playground, it’s a time when they can become independent little people, not relying too much on their parents. In addition, soft play equipment gives them a safe and secure place to explore and build friendships with their peers. Of course, playtime with you is still vital to the development of their emotions, but playing with their peers can also have a significant impact on their emotional skills and development.
3. It allows them to sleep better
One premier benefit and advantage of soft playtime is that it allows your child to have fun all year round, and their playtime will not be affected by bad weather since they can do it at home or indoors. You can sit back, relax, and watch your child enjoy their soft play and get the exercise they need.
Even if your child is active for only a quarter of an hour each day, it will already give them an advantage. Sedentary children can have various health issues, so if you give your child plenty of opportunities to play and become active, you can already benefit their lives in many ways. And of course, if your child is active when it’s daytime, they can have a better sleep at night, which is also crucial for their overall development.