Why Play for Real?
As occupational therapists (OTs), we work with all the occupations that go to fill a person’s daily life. This includes activities such as dressing and self-care, through working, to hobbies, leisure and socializing with friends. All of these occupations, and more, shape our lives and give them meaning.
For the child, play is their most important occupation and the natural way in which they learn to develop the skills necessary to lead a healthy and balanced life. These include motor, language, cognitive, social and emotional skills, to name but a few.
Sometimes we hear people dismiss play as wasting time or “just recreation”, but we see “play” as the “real” work of the child, hence “Play for Real”; the use of therapeutic play to help your child reach their full potential in the many areas of their life.