Play to Thrive: Supporting Neurodevelopment, Sensorimotor Growth, and Connection

Play is so much more than downtime. It’s the engine that drives brain growth, hones motor skills, and cements the bonds between you and your child. In fact an article from Frontier Psychology and other resources state that enriched play environments and connection with caregivers in the first two years of a child’s life greatly impact the child’s development. Regardless of your child’s age, or even yours, play is incredibly important to help nourish the nervous system and offer a form of release and expression - something we are often lacking in our busy lives. 

Rather than thinking of play as a reward after work or chores, see what happens when you integrate play into the every day, mundane, or even challenging situations. Play enables learning, and usually when it’s intertwined things get done much faster with less resistance, and smiles!

In this post you will find five benefits of play, and guided action‑focused strategies grounded in cutting‑edge research. You’ll also be invited to explore your play type!

5 Benefits of Play:

1. Play is how children learn

Play sparks synaptic growth in the prefrontal cortex—the brain’s command center for planning, focus, and emotional regulation. Play is how children learn everything from social and language skills, to problem‑solving, to gross and fine motor skills! Unstructured play fosters creativity, executive function, and autonomy in ways that no pre-planned curriculum can. In fact, a recent Frontiers in Psychology study found toddlers with rich play experiences outperformed peers in working memory and flexibility.

For You and Your Child: 

• Set a Timer: Every hour of screen time or structured activities, pause for a 5‑minute brain-building break!

• Play Quick Games: Try “Simon Says,” “Memory Match” with household items, Wordl or Sudoku!

• Rotate Activities: Mix in movement (a 30‑second dance party) and cognitive challenges (naming animals alphabetically)

These short bursts boost neural connections, sharpen executive function, and reset attention for the hour ahead.

2. Play supports development of fine and gross motor skills

Digital play can’t replace multisensory, movement-based interactions that build neural pathways and sensorimotor integration. Physical, risk‑taking play continues to support regulation, resilience, and attachment well into adolescence—and even adulthood. 

Sensorimotor play refines three critical systems; proprioception (awareness of body in space), vestibular processing (balance and spatial awareness), and interoception (tuning into inner body signals). For children with neurodiversities, sensory processing and learning differences, sensorimotor skills can make a world of difference from handwriting to emotional self‑soothing. This is also where Holistic Developmental Integration Therapy comes in (included in the Heart Centred Parenting course). 

For You and Your Child: 

• Jump Zone (3–5 mins): Use a mini‑trampoline or do 10 jumping jacks to engage proprioceptors.

• Swing/Spin (3–5 mins): Swing three big swings or gently spin in a swivel chair to stimulate vestibular pathways.

• Deep‑Pressure Spot (1–2 mins): Offer a “bear hug” or have your child push against a wall for deep‑pressure input.

You’ll notice improved coordination, emotional regulation, and a calmer demeanor after completing your circuit!

3. Play is an opportunity to co-regulate and connect

Use play as a nonverbal pathway back to calm. This goes for every single person, and can be especially helpful for children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and other neurodivergent profiles that need autonomy and co‑regulation rather than demands. 

I mean really, not many people like to be told what to do! Play offers an invitation and choice, nourishing their nervous system and letting them know you care… resulting in less overwhelm for everyone.

For You and Your Child: 

• Offer Choices: Instead of “Do this,” ask “Would you like to stack blocks or draw with chalk?”

• Shift Energy: When overwhelm arises, pivot into a playful “silly walk” contest or impromptu dance-off.

• Sensory Reset: Guide them back to sensory activities for a quick reset for both of you.

These playful pivots honor their need for control while gently guiding them toward calm.

4. Play is an important piece in problem solving & learning new skills

When our children ask us to play it’s because they want to connect with us on a deeper level, maybe even share something that has been bothering them. We can learn a lot playing with or observing our children play, the language they use, and the situations they recreate. 

When we play with our child, we gain deeper insight into their experience, offering us opportunities to empower them through their challenges. Play comes first to help co-regulate the nervous system and get out of the reptilian or sympathetic brain, and back into the parasympathetic space to learn creative problem solving and healthy coping skills. 

For You and Your Child: 

• Schedule Daily Sessions (5–10 mins): Dedicate a short time each day.

• Choose Risk Activities: Tickle wrestling, gentle tosses with spotting, or quick obstacle-course races.

• End with Comfort: Always follow the thrill with a soothing hug, calm-down chat, or quiet cuddle.

These playful risk‑and‑recovery moments build resilience, trust, and joy!

5. Speak Their Dialect: Play Types & Language 

Tune into and expand your child’s preferred play style. Children communicate through play. Matching their “play dialect”—whether it’s pretend scenarios, sensory exploration, rough‑and‑tumble fun, or deep dives into special interests—shows you “get” them and builds trust.

For You and Your Child: 

• Observe (2–3 mins): Watch without intervening. Note how your child plays. 

• Join In: Mirror their play for a short minute. If they want to continue you will know!

• Add a Twist: Introduce one new element—an imaginary character in pretend play, a new texture in sensory play, a small obstacle in risk play to keep the social exchange & fun! 

This simple “mirror and expand” technique deepens engagement and encourages creativity.

What's your play type?

Just like we have learning and sensory preferences, we also have play preferences! Knowing yours and your child's can help you bridge connections in meaningful ways. You can go here to see which one(s) you resonate most with!

Bringing Play Home

Play isn’t optional—it’s essential. By embedding play into your daily routine, you’re giving your child the brain‑building, body‑tuning, and bond‑strengthening experiences they need to thrive, and fostering a healthy family nervous system. Keep sessions short, make them consistent, and most of all—keep them playful. Play is the language of expression!

Fun Challenge: Try this for a week and see what changes for you and your family!

Say 'yes' every time your child asks you to play - just 5 minutes to connect.

Invite play into your own life - even if it's just 5 minutes.

Want more tools? 

• Get our Award Winning Children's Yoga Cards with fun somatic practices for 2-9 year olds!

• Explore the Heart Centred Parenting course to empower your family to thrive!

• Reach out to me for 1:1 Counselling & Somatic Therapy here