Psychology Today | 18.07.2026 02:50
When we think of play, we think of children. Play is seen as an activity that is reserved for children, a special period when they have the freedom and time to spend on frivolous activities that support their development. And play is important for children — numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of play for children’s cognitive, physical, and social development. It’s a key part of how children learn to explore the world and their own abilities. Animals also play as they are growing and evidence suggests it is critical for development. In juvenile brown bears, for example, higher levels of play predict greater likelihood of survival into adulthood.
