Play is your child's job — it helps develop brain

Playing with your child embraces a deeper significance than you may be aware.

How the brain develops

• Over the past five years, new research has belied old thought that genes alone determine the capacity to learn. A baby's brain is a work in progress, wired to grow circuits called neurons and synapses. These neurons and synapses, a la computers, are ready to be programmed to absorb math, music, language, emotions. The number of neurons children are born with rival the number of galaxies in the universe. The experiences children have determine their capacity for knowledge.

Humans learn through sensory experiences like touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell. We also learn through imitation and movement.

Exposure to good books, language(s), music, affection, outings, color, being talked to — and other quality stimulation — fire a child's neurons. A variety of experiences at as a young an age as possible is key: as Newsweek reported, "Early experiences are so powerful that they can completely change the way a person turns out." While this is true, continuing to fuel your child's brain at any age is also important.

Neurons that don't get used can die.

Play is your child's job

• You have your job; your child has hers. Hers is to practice for the grown-up world. What your child learns during playtime may not always seem obvious to you: for instance, socialization, which may mean learning to wait for her turn vs. cutting in line.

• When your child plays, he explores his universe. By manipulating an object, he is trying to find out what it can do. Does it make noise? Is it soft? Does it smell or taste funny?

Television vs. playing with parents

• Research shows that children plopped in front of most TV shows exhibit a flat-line brain scan vs. the active brain of a child involved in a game with her parents.

• Good news: A new study says children can actually benefit from viewing educational television a few hours per week, like "Blue's Clues" or "Zoom," especially when a parent watches with them.

• Playing with your child increases the bond between you, as well as warm, happy memories. These memories will help foster a relationship with your child as she grows.

• When a child can explore his universe with a caring parent, he feels good about himself. Happy emotions increase neuron growth.