Days are filled with rushing between meetings, collecting children from school, preparing dinner and navigating bedtime routines. In the midst of this busyness, it can feel tempting to offer children a quick five minutes of peace by handing them an iPad as a form of entertainment. However, endless scrolling and becoming absorbed in games for extended periods can heighten anxiety and perpetuate a cycle of dependency.

In contrast, simple, sensory-rich play experiences offer something far more valuable. From digging in the sandpit and creating canals and trenches, to water play with bubbles, pouring and mixing, experimenting with different materials or rolling and pressing playdough, these moments are deeply nourishing. Children might spend time building a fort out of cushions, creating a “restaurant” in a mud kitchen or constructing a city using cardboard boxes and recycled materials. These open-ended experiences invite imagination, creativity and problem-solving in ways that screens simply cannot replicate.

Providing your child with a childhood grounded in unstructured, sensory-rich play fosters a sense of peace and calm within a safe environment while also supporting emotional regulation. Whether it is climbing a tree, balancing on a log, drawing with chalk on the driveway or helping to bake in the kitchen, these everyday moments become meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.

The brain is largely guided by the limbic system, which plays a key role in processing emotions. Through play, children encounter a range of feelings, excitement, frustration, joy and disappointment, particularly when things do not go according to plan. Experiencing and working through these emotions helps children learn to regulate their responses as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex begin to work together more effectively over time.

A vital aspect of the limbic system is the development of relationships and social interaction. During play, oxytocin is released, supporting connection and bonding. Children begin to learn the pragmatics of social cues: reading facial expressions, understanding how to respond to others and developing empathy. They practise turn-taking, negotiating roles and navigating conflict. They also begin to recognise that others may see and experience the world differently from themselves.

Play does not increase cortisol levels; instead, it promotes the release of endorphins and dopamine. This provides a natural way for the body to reduce anxiety and cultivate a sense of calm and wellbeing. Time spent outdoors, engaging with natural elements such as water, sand, mud and loose parts, is particularly powerful in supporting this sense of regulation.

So, how can you create enriched play experiences at home and what is your role as a parent?

Examples of rich play experiences at home include box construction, such as making a car, rocket or house, playing in a mud kitchen, going on a nature walk to collect pinecones, leaves or stones, setting up a simple water station with cups and jugs, or creating an obstacle course in the garden. You might invite your child to help cook and measure ingredients, build with blocks or LEGO, or engage in imaginative play such as setting up a shop. These simple moments can become opportunities for play and connection.

One important approach is to support your child’s metacognition, the ability to think about their own thinking. This can be encouraged by asking open-ended questions such as, “What do you think will happen if you add more water to the canal?” “How can you make your tower stronger?” or “How can you use the swing together?” Rather than providing immediate answers, allow your child the space to think, reason, problem-solve and explore possible solutions independently. Your role is not to direct the play but to gently guide, observe and be present.

The pendulum of childhood is shifting. How can you intentionally foster a childhood enriched with meaningful play, one that nurtures a deep sense of peace, connection and emotional wellbeing? For more information and additional resources, visit www.bellavista.org.za.