Teaching young children is becoming more and more stressful for parents, who often complain that their child is not willing to study. This often leads to a scenario where the child is forced to study.

For example, your child is engaged in building a tower with blocks, and you suddenly decide it is time for him/her to write the letters of the alphabet. Put yourself in your child's position. If you are working and trying to figure out something important, and you are forced to quit that task immediately and made to do something else, how would you feel? So, imagine the frustration your child will feel.

Unfortunately, the value of play is not understood in our hurried society. Children who are not allowed to play are deprived of a vital and essential aspect of their childhood.

Play is of immense value to child development, as it helps develop and foster life skills, creativity, imagination and a positive self-image. Researchers say that play allows children to express bottled up opinions and negative emotions. Not allowing children time for play can lead to serious consequences for children and for our society.

Play prepares children for adulthood, develops their problem solving skills and helps them learn cooperation, negotiation and compromise, which are generally missing from our society. The next time you see your child engaged in play, please don't assume that he/she is wasting time. Instead, ask yourself what he/she may be getting out of it.

To help children develop into creative well - adjusted adults, the valure of play must be recognised.