Play is essential in developing the foundation for social, emotional and cognitive skills for all children. Research shows unstructured play is crucial for children to thrive emotionally, mentally, socially and physically. Play also has an important role in helping develop resilience in children which is the ability to ‘roll with the punches’ by rising above adversity and adapting to serious challenges. Play has specific features that allow children to try out, in relative safety, new strategies and solutions to challenges.

Here are some types of play that encourage the development of resilience:

• Social Play – This could be interacting with peers during an activity or engaging in solitary play where a child plays Doctor with a stuffed animal.
• Dramatic Play – This could involve symbolic play, where a child uses one object to represent another, or sociodramitic play, where your child takes on different roles.
• Functional Play – Children explore using multiple senses (a child touches, smells—and even sometimes tastes—homemade playdough).

Here are some key materials to use at home which encourage resilience-building play:

1. Blocks – Tabletop blocks, hollow or even cardboard boxes can be used.
2. Dramatic Play and Props – Dolls, wooden spoons, old costumes and cardboard boxes are great materials for dramatic play. Small and large cardboard boxes can be used to make a pretend cradle, stove, or refrigerator to play house.
3. Table Props – Watercolor paints, washable tempera paints, paper, crayons, washable markers, paintbrushes, toothbrushes, potato mashers, clay, and playdough can all be used to make art.