Play is important and more than fun for babies and children. It’s how they learn and develop. Playing with your child is one of the most important things you can do.

Key points:

• Play is key to children’s learning, development, confidence and wellbeing

• Variety in play is important because it helps with all areas of children’s development

• Unstructured play and structured play are the main types of play

• As children grow, the way they play changes