Free play isn’t just about keeping children occupied—it plays a vital role in shaping their cognitive, emotional and social development. Experts say that unstructured, imaginative play can significantly boost problem-solving skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to navigate real-world challenges. On this International Day of Play, child development specialists are urging parents to look beyond screens and schedules and give children the freedom to simply play.
Sharpening Minds Through Imagination
“Free play is crucial for brain development and not just for fun,” says Dr. Manimegalai, Consultant Paediatrician at SIMS Hospital, Chennai. “It encourages areas of the brain responsible for problem solving, emotional regulation, and social interaction.” Whether children are building a fort or running a pretend restaurant, she explains, they’re sharpening their ability to adapt, think creatively and build confidence—all in a low-risk setting.
Building Emotional Strength
There’s also a powerful emotional upside. “Play allows children to process emotions, understand different perspectives during role-play, and ultimately grow into confident, well-adjusted adults,” Dr. Manimegalai adds. In a world filled with overstimulation and screen time, free play provides much-needed breathing room for children to decompress and build inner resilience.
From Puzzles to Team Sports
Dr. Velmurugan Kannappan, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Rela Hospital, Chennai, stresses that play is far more than entertainment; it’s essential for healthy brain development. “At an early age, play is how a child interacts with the world around them,” he says. “It strengthens the mind, encourages problem-solving, and helps children form meaningful social bonds.”
He advises parents to support various forms of play—from outdoor games like football and cricket to manipulative activities like puzzles and building blocks and group-based play that teaches cooperation and conflict resolution. “It’s important to limit screen time and encourage physical, creative and social play. "Video games can’t replace the depth of learning that real-world play offers,” he warns.
A Right to Play, A Right to Thrive
The call to champion free play is also echoed by Mr. Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India. The organisation, which supports vulnerable children across the country, views play as a fundamental right and a key part of its care model. “Through unstructured, child-led play, children unlock their curiosity and creativity,” he says. “They develop critical thinking skills naturally—by experimenting, role-playing, and imagining.”
Growing Emotionally Resilient Individuals
But the impact goes beyond academics. “Play provides a safe space for children to express and understand complex emotions, learn empathy and self-regulation, and gain confidence,” says Kar. “Negotiating rules, resolving disputes, or simply imagining a new world helps them develop life skills that formal education often overlooks.”
