The Benefits of Soft Play for Children

As the parent or guardian of a young child, you will constantly be looking for ways to encourage your little one to become more independent and to seek enjoyment in learning. 

Watching our children take on challenges and learn new skills is extremely rewarding, so finding ways to support them through this time can be of great joy for parents, guardians and carers alike. 

It may be of surprise to you that one of the greatest ways to encourage your child’s development is through soft play. Soft play gives children the opportunity to experiment with movement and social interaction in a safe and comfortable environment, which is why many nurseries create dedicated soft-play areas for their students to enjoy.

Here we discuss the benefits of soft play for children:

Soft play gives children the opportunity to develop motor skills 

Soft-play areas are designed to support children during the development of key motor skills, including walking, climbing, navigating around obstacles and crawling. These motor skills are necessary for later life so it’s important that children have the opportunity to practice them from a young age with the support of their peers.

Soft play creates a safe environment for children 

When children start trying to climb over sofas and up the stairs, it is because they are experimenting with the motor skills that will guide them through life. However, no parent wants their child to hurt themselves, which can be a big concern in houses and buildings that aren’t designed with young children in mind. Soft-play areas are nicely cushioned with rounded corners and no sharp objects, so your little one can climb to their heart’s content without the risk of getting hurt.

Soft play gives children the chance to develop social skills

Whether your child enjoys soft play at nursery or at a local soft-play centre, they certainly won’t be the only child enjoying the area. This is a great opportunity to encourage your little one to interact with others and to make friends, as it’s a relaxed environment where children can work together to build tunnels, walls and bridges. 

At Sandfield Day Nursery, based in Nottingham, we are proud to have an entire room dedicated to soft play, giving the children in our care the opportunity to have fun in a safe and relaxed environment. Our nursery facilities are suitable for children of six weeks old until age five and are run by our team of highly-trained, qualified and compassionate nursery staff. For more information about our nursery services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Sandfield Day Nursery team today.