How Playing Benefits the Brain

Children are encouraged to become builders and chefs while roleplaying in our Smart Building. Photo Credit: Educator Rose

Children learn through play. At Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, there are many areas where kids can explore and play, including new areas that the Center introduced in January. Kids can be chefs and engineers while they play in the new kitchen and workshop located in the energy gallery’s Smart Building. Additionally, the energy gallery houses a new book corner filled with seating and nature related stories.

For more structured playing, join us for a ‘Tiny Tots’ program. ‘Tiny Tots’ introduces kids to nature and energy concepts through crafts, stories, activities, and play time in the Nature Classroom. The Nature Classroom has ‘the tots corner’, a play area where kids can play with magna tiles, marine animal figurines, magnifying glasses, wooden puzzles, blocks and more.

Playing is vital for early childhood development. According to Martha Bronson, former Associate Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology at Boston College, playing increases the development of the brain’s frontal lobe, shown through an increase in attention span, working memory, and problem-solving skills. Playing improves a child’s ability to self-regulate, which allows children to be more mindful of their emotions, thoughts, and impulses. Through playing with their peers, kids learn vital social and language skills. Playing improves a child’s problem-solving skills, literacy, social and emotional development, making play time the best time. Join us for our first Storytime Corner at 11:00am, Saturday, April 12th.