As the school holidays approach and parents are planning how to keep children occupied, a new report from toymaker DUPLO reveals the importance of different types of play on child development – and how UK children are falling short in key areas. In the report, Ensuring children get a balanced diet of play, Dr. Whitebread from the University of Cambridge identifies five types of play* that parents should provide for and encourage. The research from DUPLO highlights that the least frequent types of play amongst children are games with rules and play with objects. Research shows that children who miss out on these types of play are likely to be less advanced than their peers in vital skills such as understanding perspectives, embracing challenges, problem solving and perseverance.

David Whitebread commented, “Evidence clearly demonstrates the importance of play in the lives of young children, and the amount and sophistication of play is strongly associated with their development.  For children to mature and progress, it is vital to create opportunities for them to take part in a wide variety of different play types and scenarios.”

The research also showed that girls under the age of five are much more likely to be given daily exposure to the types of play that aid their development than boys of the same age - an imbalance which could impact on boys’ intellectual and emotional progress. 

·         Nearly two-thirds of girls (62%) read books or listen to stories each day, compared with half of boys (50%)

·         46% of girls spend time playing ‘rough and tumble’ games each day compared to 32% of boys and 41% girls partake in physical play daily compared to only 34% boys

·         Almost half of all girls under 5 play with dolls or action figures on a daily basis (45%), compared to less than a third of boys (29%)

·         34% of girls spend time painting, drawing or playing music daily, compared to only 24% of boys

·         Nearly half (48%) girls partake in symbolic play daily compared to just over a third (37%) of boys

When asked about the reasons their children aren’t exposed to certain types of play, 15% of parents of boys believe some types of play are unsuitable for their sons, particularly when it comes to dressing-up and play with dolls or action figures.

David Whitebread says: “Potentially boys are losing out in vital areas of their development that girls are thriving in. All children need balanced exposure to different kinds of play to aid their development and understanding of the world around them.”

Laura di Bonaventura, from DUPLO, added “Children play as they learn.  To achieve the maximum developmental opportunities for children, parents should look for well-made, versatile and open-ended toys such as DUPLO bricks, which support children’s development in several categories of play, ensuring they are progressing as they play.”