The Power of Play: Nurturing Self-Esteem, Self-Empathy, and Self-Advocacy in Children
by Antonia Llull | View Bio
Antonia, better known as Tonina, has been a practicing occupational therapist for over 20 years, specializing in Pediatrics. In her career’s journey, she has founded/directed a multidisciplinary rehab clinic and a private school for students with special needs (in Orlando, FL) and has been part of the rehab medicine management team at a top rated hospital in Manhattan. Tonina continues to work with children and families while building educational programming for parents and professionals. Founding MPowerMe and mpowermetoys.com culminates her clinical experiences and her love for discovering, sharing, and collaborating with her community to foster growth and creativity in children of all ages and skill levels. She strives to share about the use of toys, games, gadgets, literature, and sensory accessories to build children’s social skills, physical performance, ability to respond adaptively to their environment, and foster their continued journey as life-long learners.
-
Through play, kids learn how to interact with others and reach critical developmental milestones in the following areas:
Communication – Playing with others can reinforce language and literacy skills.
Cognitive – Self-directed play helps to sharpen planning skills and attention spans.
Creative – Navigating an increasingly complex world will require creativity more than any other skill.
Emotional – Pretend play can help build kids’ confidence and self-perception.
Physical — Research has shown that physically active kids tend to be leaner and healthier.
Social – Studies have found that the ability to work with others is the best predictor of academic performance.
Play, a natural and instinctive way for children to explore the world, serves as a powerful tool for fostering essential life skills. Here, we will delve into how children can build self-esteem, self-empathy, and self-advocacy through various types of play activities.
The Role of Imaginative Play:
Imaginative play, including pretend play and fantasy scenarios, is a rich ground for the development of self-esteem, empathy (for self and others), and self-advocacy. Through imaginative play, children navigate complex social dynamics, make decisions, and assert themselves within the play scenario.
- Play Tip - Create a Fantasy World: Encourage children to create their own fantasy world, complete with characters, rules, and stories. Navigating this imaginative landscape helps them assert themselves, negotiate with peers, and understand the consequences of their actions.
Building Self-Esteem:
Self-esteem is the foundation upon which a child's confidence and resilience are built. Play provides a safe space for children to take risks, make decisions, self-correct, and experience success, thereby contributing to the development of a positive self-image in the face of success and adversity.
- Play Tip - Role-Playing: Engaging in role-playing scenarios by acting like either fiction or non-fiction characters or pretending they are in the story book allows children to step into distinct roles, boosting their confidence as they navigate various social situations. Whether pretending to be a doctor, teacher, or superhero, role-playing can instill a sense of capability.
Fostering Self-Empathy
Understanding and connecting with one's own emotions is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence. Play provides a platform for children to explore their feelings, helping them develop self-empathy and a deeper understanding of themselves. This fosters positive (versus negative) self-talk when they are faced with challenges.
- Play Tip - Emotion Charades: Through the game of charades, emphasizing the expression of emotion, children can express and recognize different emotions. By acting out feelings like joy, sadness, or anger, they learn to identify and then to empathize with these emotions, both in themselves and others.
Cultivating Self-Advocacy:
Self-advocacy involves expressing one's needs and desires respectfully, yet assertively. Play encourages children to communicate effectively, negotiate, and stand up for themselves, nurturing the essential skill of self-advocacy.
- Play Tip - Collaborative Building: Engaging in collaborative building activities, such as constructing a fort, requires effective communication and teamwork. Children learn to express their ideas, listen to others, and assertively contribute to the collective goal, fostering the development of self-advocacy skills.
Include Outdoor Play Activities:
Outdoor play and physical activities contribute significantly to a child's overall well-being. Engaging in physical play promotes physical health and enhances mental and emotional resilience - key components of self-esteem and self-empathy.
- Play Tips
- Scavenger Hunt: A team scavenger hunt game is a fun and interactive activity that promotes teamwork, communication, problem-solving, exploration, confidence, and feeling capable.
- Field Games and Sports: Participating in field games or team sports teaches collaboration, communication, and self-advocacy. Working together towards a common goal fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Play is a powerful driver of growth and development, actively contributing to the cultivation of self-esteem, self-empathy, and self-advocacy. These skills lay the groundwork for resilient and confident individuals who can navigate life's challenges with self-assurance. As parents, caregivers, and educators, let us recognize the transformative potential of play in shaping the development of our children.