Summer has finally begun – Dubai, in particular, bears the brunt of it; intense sunlight and scorching heat are things that parents don’t want affecting their toddlers. Nurseries have to regard limiting children’s outdoor playtime instead of promoting it.

That is unfair, considering how much children enjoy playing outdoors. So why restrict it, when you have the best solution at hand: water play.

It only has two words, but it’s benefits are enormous. Let’s see what they are:

 

Develop key motor skills

Although it might seem like your child is just splashing around in the water, they are actually developing their motor skills – things like balance, strength, gripping movements, hand-eye coordination etc. are all immensely improved. Furthermore, children experiment with their surroundings without falling into hard surfaces. In fact, water resistance adds strength to their little bodies.

All this is possible mainly because water is an entirely new medium of play for the child, which leaves a lasting impression on their bodily development.

 

Promote exploration

Neil deGrasse Tyson loves alluding to children as “little scientists” – and that is true. Through water play, children make the most of the new sensations they experience by conducting physical experiments. They may investigate things like wood, sand or rocks in water, and discover what they look and feel like. They may even develop key ideas about water displacement, floating, sinking, and volume.

This kind of deep analytical thinking developed at an early age lets children develop problem solving skills in exciting ways.

 

Therapeutic through play

Children consider any kind of play as an emotional outlet – water play in particular is the best one.

It shouldn’t be loud and busy – it can be as simple as a child pouring, scooping and running their hands through water. Such relaxing and repetitive actions is a lot like colouring: children lose themselves in physical repetition, allowing them to unwind. Letting out emotional energy through productive means like this makes children a lot more emotionally and mentally aware of themselves.

 

Communication skills strengthened

This is where the benefits of water play is most obviously seen, especially in social settings like nurseries. There, children get to explore and interact together; they relay any discoveries they make with their friends or the teacher, thereby giving a serious confidence boost.

Water play often requires a minimal amount of space, so children have to work together and cooperate during play. This inevitably builds strong social skills, making them more tolerable, friendly and compassionate in any kind of social situation.

Pamela Taylor, early childhood development instructor at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, says, “Young children are drawn to water. They’re curious about it. It’s a universally appealing play material with unlimited possibilities.”

And we could not agree more. Letting children cool off during play in water lets them avoid the scorching summer of Dubai, and never miss any time playing outside. Nurseries in JLT like Oakfield Early Learning Center keep these things in mind; they have designated play areas with sprinklers, as well as equipment like tubs and pool-toys that make playtime interesting. Oakfield also has fixed indoor water play times, where they may either build scientific concepts, or just have fun!

No doubt, children benefit a lot from water play. It is a great source of inspiration, creativity and curiosity for toddlers, leading to a whole range of valuable learning and discovery.