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The Power of Play: 6 Benefits for Child Development 

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The Power of Play: 6 Benefits for Child Development 

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They say play is the work of children-and it's true! Play is how children learn about the world, themselves and each other. It's as much a part of healthy development as eating vegetables, reading books together and getting a good night's sleep. Even the United Nations lists play as  one of the basic rights of every child.

There is no right or wrong way to play. It's anything from sticking a hand in mashed potatoes to playing with video games or staring out a window. It looks different depending on the day and the child:

Sometimes children play with friends and other times, on their own.

Sometimes they may speak aloud and other times, be silent in their heads.

Sometimes play is messy or risky and other times, quiet and relaxed.

Kids don't need fancy toys or certificates to play. They need time, space and freedom to explore the ideas that interest them. No matter what it looks like, when children play, they learn.

Why is Play Important for Children?

There are six reasons play, both unstructured and structured, is important for child development:

1. Play Builds Imagination and Creativity

During play, kids stretch their imaginations. They create make-believe games or get lost in pretend worlds. Children act out different solutions while boosting their confidence. They make their own rules and learn how to follow or adapt those rules as needed. These are helpful skills for navigating life and developing relationships with others.

Symbolic play is the ability to imagine one object as another. For example, a stick, a bucket and pinecones can become a cooking spoon, a pot and yummy ingredients. Symbolic play is an important part of healthy development. It builds skills that children need for future learning and problem solving. It also improves creativity, which contributes to success throughout a person's life.

2. Play Fosters Cognitive Growth

What does fostering cognitive growth mean? It means that play is essential to healthy brain development.

Unstructured play is the time when kids direct their own play. They are not bound by schedules or activities directed by adults. Unstructured play helps a child's brain develop in positive ways. It strengthens and increases neural connections in the brain. These are the paths in the brain that we use for thinking.

Unstructured play also helps build and strengthen the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This area influences the way a child learns, solves problems and gains knowledge about their environment.

3. Play Delivers Emotional and Behavioural Benefits

When adults feel overwhelmed, we retreat into activities that soothe us. We go to the gym, sing karaoke with friends, walk around the neighbourhood, weed the garden or play a board game. These activities are more than a distraction. They are a way of bringing play back into our lives and connecting us to the things in life that help ground us.

Children are the same, although they need a lot more playtime. Frequent, daily play can help reduce anxiety, stress and irritability. It also helps boost joy and self-esteem.

Adults observing children at play can help them better understand emotions by naming them. For example, "It sounds like you are nervous about going to school tomorrow". Listening and asking questions shows kids that adults care. It communicates that their feelings and experiences are important.

Play is an excellent teacher. Through play, children learn how to navigate the world in a way they can understand and process. They explore how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to solve conflicts and to speak up for themselves.

4. Play Improves Literacy

Children are born wired to learn language. Starting from birth, they build language and literacy skills through play and interactions. Babies and toddlers learn new words when adults describe what they see, hear and do. Songs and poems connect syllables to beats. This helps children develop listening skills and learn about the sounds in words.

Through play, kids learn about communication. They get to practise back and forth conversation, even if they can't speak! Sharing stories in books, orally or in make-believe play, helps them understand who they are and their role within the community. Stories also teach how language works and how narratives are structured.

Toys and games are also useful. Playing with small toys helps build the small muscles in hands. This helps with writing. "I Spy" and concentration games develop abilities for observation and maintaining attention. These skills support reading comprehension by helping children understand and apply what they're reading.

As kids enter school, play continues to be important. Research shows students pay more attention to their work after an unstructured play break. Play enhances curiosity and a curious mind is ready to learn.

5. Play Encourages Greater Independence

Children often have little power or say over their daily activities. They spend much of their days being told what to do, when to do it and where they have to go. In the world of play, they have the opportunity to set the rules and be the one with power. They can be the leaders and adults can be the ones listening and taking directions.

Solitary (Independent) play is as important as learning how to play with others. It helps children develop a stronger sense of independence. Children comfortable with solitary play also feel more capable of tackling other tasks on their own and figuring out how they fit in. Developing those skills even contributes to future socializing within a group. Children playing alone can learn social cues by observing group interactions from afar.

Solitary play allows children to experiment with their own creativity and ideas. When alone, and even bored, children's brains take up the challenge. They find new and exciting ways to stimulate themselves. As Albert Einstein said, "the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."

6. Play Promotes Physical Fitness

Whether they realize it or not, children's bodies are wired to be active. Children have a very strong need for Physical Play, which is any type of play that gets them moving. It's part of how they learn to use their bodies and strengthens connections in the brain. It's also great form of exercise, which promotes fit and healthy children.

Regular, active play has positive and far-reaching health effects throughout a child's life. No matter a child's abilities, interests and opportunities, physical play helps children:

sharpen reflexes;

work on movement control;

improve gross motor skills;

develop greater balance;

build strong muscles;

improve bone density;

increase cardio-vascular function;

all while having fun!

Daily outdoor time is also key. It supports children's mental health and a greater ability to self-regulate. No matter the weather, put kids in layers and outdoor clothes so they can get in their green time. They'll come back inside happier and more relaxed. Track time outdoors by using free printables such as these from 1000 Hours Outside.

Play for Life

The positive effects of play on young children are far-reaching-influencing their mental, emotional and physical health. The benefits extend to adults as well. Talking about play with children teaches them that adults are invested and respect their play decisions. This fosters better connections between adults and children. In turn, respect, trust and love lay the foundation for the emotional state most conducive to fostering the learning brain.

Adopting a playful attitude also benefits adults' emotional well-being. In times of stress, it's an easy way to boost your mood, so instead of using cutlery during dinner tonight, we suggest you try using your fingers (or popsicle sticks, straws or toothpicks) instead. No one is watching and it's plain fun!

How Can Children Play at EPL?

At EPL, we recognize the importance of play to children's healthy development. Play is a key component of the activities we recommend to support children developing early literacy skills. EPL incorporates a variety of play opportunities in all our branches with our dedicated children's areas, manipulative toys, installations for kids to explore and more! We also offer early literacy classes, which are fun and educational for children and parents alike!

The revitalized downtown Shelley Milner's Children's Library is also a must-see-this brand new space features an early literacy centre for babies and toddlers, a playspace for free play and a children's Makerspace filled with a variety of games, LEGO ® and technological toys.

The Library provides opportunities to play at home too! Here are seven ideas to start:

1. Get inspired with these books on play for babies and toddlers and preschoolers.

2. Use your imagination to create your own story with these silent picture books.

3. Combine storytime with movement with these fun books.

4. Have a dance party with these kid-approved tunes.

5. Get creative with these fun arts and craft-themed activities.

6. Go on an alphabet scavenger hunt and help children learn the alphabet and boost their vocabulary.

7. Join us online or watch the recording of our Baby Laptime and Sing, Sign, Laugh and Learn classes.

Play is just one of the five activities that stimulate brain and cognitive development and help children develop early literacy skills.
The Five Practices of Early Literacy
References

1. Schrader, C. T. (1990). Symbolic play as a curricular tool for early literacy development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 5(1), 79-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/0885-2006(90)90008-o

2. Bergland, C. (2013, October 24). Childhood Creativity Leads to Innovation in Adulthood. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201310/childhood-creativity-leads-innovation-in-adulthood

3. Punkoney, S. M. (2020, September 11). Play Impacts Early Brain Development - Stay at Home Educator. Stay At Home Educator. https://stayathomeeducator.com/play-impacts-early-brain-development/

4. B. (2018, May 15). Name It To Tame It! How To Help Your Child Manage Their Big Emotions. Cedar Tree Counseling, Ltd. https://cedartreecounseling.com/blog/name-it-to-tame-it-how-to-help-your-child-manage-their-big-emotions/

5. Pellegrini, A. D., & Holmes, R. M. (2006). The Role of Recess in Primary School. In D. G. Singer, R. M. Golinkoff, & K. Hirsh-Pasek (Eds.), Play = learning: How play motivates and enhances children's cognitive and social-emotional growth (p. 36-53). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195304381.003.0003

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The Power of Play: 6 Benefits for Child Development

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Paying is a healthy and happy part of child development. Here are six reasons to make sure your child plays everyday.

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The Importance of Play: How Kids Learn by Having Fun

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The Importance of Play: How Kids Learn by Having Fun

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Play is one of the most important aspects of a child's life. Why? Because through peekaboo, patty-cake, and playing house, children learn to think creatively and interact socially.

Through play, they develop physically and discover a slew of emotional skills,and they learn how to process the world. In short, play is pivotal to your child's development.

"Play is how children learn," says Dr. Tiff Jumaily, a pediatrician at Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City in Los Angeles.

What's more, according to a 2012 study, play reduces stress. "On the whole, play is associated with responses that facilitate learning... [and] work off stress," says Jumaily.

But what are the benefits of play and what type of engagement, toys, and activities do children really need? We asked some experts to weigh in.

While the benefits of play are innumerable - play helps children develop cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally - there is more to play than fun and games.

Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist and program coordinator at Providence Saint John's Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica, California, tells Healthline, "Play is important because it provides a primary foundation for learning, exploring, problem-solving, and building an understanding of the world and your role within it."

But how do children learn through play? Well, it's simple. Play allows children the chance to emulate what they see and practice skills. It gives them an outlet for creativity and experimentation, and play helps them learn how to interact and communicate with others.

Cognitive benefits

Play promotes healthy development and critical thinking skills. It reinforces memory, helps children understand cause and effect, and, according to Mendez, helps children explore the world - and their role in it.

"Young children learn how things fit together through play. It allows them to use their senses and encourages exploration and curiosity, and these skills are the foundation of intellectual development and cognitive processing."

Play also inspires children to pretend, create, and imagine. Creative, open-ended play helps children conceptualize, brainstorm, and exercise critical thinking skills.

Physical benefits

Physically, play benefits children in a few ways, namely in the development of their fine and gross motor skills.

"Play benefits motor development by encouraging movement [and the] understanding of spatial relations, promoting motor planning skills, and supporting balance and dexterity," Mendez says. "It also supports gross motor skills, such as energy, stamina, flexibility, and body awareness."

Examples of physical play include running, jumping, swimming, block building, dancing, riding bikes, and climbing trees. (When you're providing opportunities for these types of activities, remember key safety precautions - from bike helmets to pool supervision.)

Social benefits

Play is also important for social development because it helps children learn how to interact with others.

Through play, children develop an understanding of social expectations and rules, and play provides opportunities to share thoughts and ideas, to listen, and to compromise.

Emotional benefits

Additionally, play helps children understand and process their emotions.

"Kids process their emotions and new concepts through play," Kim Wheeler Poitevien, a child therapist in Philadelphia, tells Healthline.

When a child loses a game, for example, they learn to process sadness, anger, and grief. Playing also helps build confidence and encourages the development of their identity and self-esteem.

The ways children play vary, depending on their age and interests. Here are a few ideas for both parents and kids.

Babies

Playing with young children may seem hard - after all, babies cannot sit, crawl, walk, talk, or stand. But according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), playful learning can start with baby's first smile.

"At this stage, children are most interested in faces - and learning how to make these faces smile at them and laugh," Jumaily says. "Babies love games like peekaboo. It helps teach them about object permanence. They love contrasting colors and textures. Think rattles and bits of crinkly paper, and they love making noise. Let them experiment hitting various pots and pans to see what sounds they make."

Holding conversations with your little one is also very important, as it helps them develop their linguistic skills.

Toddlers

As your child grows, their play options increase. Toddlers love brightly colored objects, like age-appropriate balls, cars, and blocks. Puzzles are a great choice, as are simple artistic supplies, and pretend play is excellent for children of this age.

"You should encourage toddlers to engage in pretend play using dolls, blocks, common household objects, or by dressing up," Mendez says.

Read to your toddler on a regular basis and encourage them to color or draw, as these activities will help the development of understanding, cognition, and their fine motor skills.

Preschoolers

Preschool-age children are staunchly independent. They have an understanding of the world, and their place in it, and for that reason, much of their play at this age is self-driven and structured.

"Preschool age children are striving for independence in everything they do," Jumaily says. "Parents will often notice that they insist not only on choosing their clothing, but putting it on all by themselves. For that reason, preschool is a great age to introduce solo activities, like puzzles, magnetic tiles, LEGOs, and tower building."

That said, it is important to note that preschoolers need socialization. It is key to their development. Trips to the playground and park are great ways to encourage this as are games like tag, red light/green light, and Simon says.

School-age kids

Much like preschoolers, elementary and middle school-age kids are very independent. They are also very focused on school-based activities. However, play is still integral to their development.

"School-age kids need play too," Wheeler Poitevien says. "Encourage outside play with a ball or bubbles, or plan a family game night. LEGO sets, Kinex, and other building toys are great too. Video games also count as play, but these activities should be done in moderation."

Play helps children grow into strong, healthy, and independent individuals. It also helps them develop emotionally and reduces stress. However, a lack of play can have negative and long-lasting effects.

"Studies show that when kids don't have the opportunity to play outside in nature, they are at higher risk for attention problems and behavior problems," Jumaily explains. "Without proper play, kids do not have the chance to stretch their imagination and build the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and in their life. A lack of play can also stunt an individual's social and emotional development."

A 2018 study by the AAP also found the absence of play can increase stress. "Play is not frivolous... it is brain building," Jumaily says. "When play and safe, stable, nurturing relationships are missing in a child's life, toxic stress can disrupt the[ir] development."

Play is valuable to children - very valuable. In fact, the benefits of play cannot be overstated. So run, sing, and dance with your children. Play games with your kiddos, and have fun!

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The Importance of Play: How Kids Learn By Having Fun

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Play is one of the most important aspects of a child's life. Why? Because through peekaboo, patty-cake, and playing house, children learn to think creatively and interact socially. Through play, they develop physically and discover a slew of emotional skills,and they learn how to process the world.

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10 reasons why play is important | National Literacy Trust

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Play teaches adults patience and understanding. If you do choose to join in your child's play make sure that you do not try to take it over and force incorporation of your ultimate learning objectives into their play. Structured adult-led activities have their time and place but remember to allow for time for children to control and decide their own play.

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The importance of play

Play is central to your child's learning and development. When your child plays, it gives them many different ways and times to learn.

Play also helps your child:

build confidence

feel loved, happy and safe

understand more about how the world works

develop social skills, language and communication

learn about caring for others and the environment

develop physical skills.

It's important for children to have plenty of different types of play experiences. This includes unstructured and structured play, indoor and outdoor play, solo and group play, craft and creative play, and so on. When children get variety, it's good for all aspects of their learning and development - physical, social, emotional and imaginative.

Different types of play: unstructured and structured

Unstructured, free play is unplanned play that just happens, depending on what takes your child's interest at the time.

Unstructured, free play is particularly important for younger children because it lets them use their imagination and move at their own pace.

Examples of unstructured play might be:

creative play alone or with others, including artistic or musical games

imaginative games - for example, making cubbyhouses with boxes or blankets, dressing up or playing make-believe

exploring new or favourite spaces like cupboards, backyards, parks, playgrounds and so on.

You can be part of your child's unstructured play. But sometimes all you'll need to do is point your child in the right direction - towards the jumble of dress-ups and toys on their floor, or to the table with crayons and paper. At other times, you might need to be a bit more active. For example, 'How about we play dress-ups? What do you want to be today?'

Structured play is organised and happens at a fixed time or in a set space. It's often led by a grown-up. Older children are more likely to enjoy and benefit from structured play.

Examples of structured play include:

outdoor ball games like kicking a soccer ball

water familiarisation classes for toddlers or swimming lessons for older children

storytelling groups for toddlers and preschoolers at the local library

dance, music or drama classes for children of all ages

family board or card games

modified sports for slightly older children, like Cricket Blast, Aussie Hoops basketball, NetSetGO netball, Come and Try Rugby and Auskick football.

Structured and unstructured play can happen indoors or outdoors. Outdoor play gives your child the chance to explore, be active, test physical limits - and get messy!

How play develops with children

As your child grows, their attention span and physical skills develop and the way they play will change. Your child will get more creative and experiment more with toys, games and ideas. This might mean they need more space and time to play.

Also, children move through different forms of play as they grow. This includes playing alone, playing alongside other children and playing interactively with other children.

Your child will love playing with you, but sometimes they might prefer to play alone. Your child might just want you to give them ideas and let them know how their play and games are going. And sometimes your child might want to play with other children - no grown-ups allowed!

Newborns and babies: play ideas to encourage development

Just looking at your face and hearing your voice is play for your baby, especially if you're smiling.

You might like to try the following play ideas and activities with your little one:

Music, songs or bells develop hearing and movement. You could try gentle tapping on your baby's tummy while you sing.

Peekaboo is great for your baby's social and emotional development.

Gentle tickles or objects with different textures develop the sense of touch. You and your baby could experiment with things like feathers, mud, metal or foam.

Objects of different sizes, colours and shapes can encourage your child to reach and grasp.

Sturdy furniture, balls, toys or boxes can get your child crawling, standing and walking.

Regular tummy time and floor play are very important for young babies. Tummy time encourages your baby to move and roll and helps them develop muscle strength and control. It also lets your baby see and experience the world from a different perspective. All you need is a playmat or blanket on the ground or floor.

Toddlers: play ideas to encourage development

Here are some ideas your toddler might enjoy:

Large and light things like cardboard boxes, buckets or blow-up balls can encourage your child to run, build, push or drag.

Chalk, rope, music or containers can encourage jumping, kicking, stomping, stepping and running.

Hoops, boxes, large rocks or pillows are good for climbing on, balancing, twisting, swaying or rolling.

Dress-up games with scarves, hats and so on are good for imagination and creativity.

Hills, tunnels or nooks can encourage physical activities like crawling, climbing and exploring.

If you put on some favourite music while your toddler plays, they can also try out different sounds and rhythms. You might also like to sing, dance and clap along to music with your child.

Preschoolers: play ideas to encourage development

Here are some ideas to get your preschooler's mind and body going:

Old milk containers, wooden spoons, empty pot plant containers, sticks, scrunched-up paper, plastic buckets, saucepans and old clothes are great for imaginative, unstructured play.

Simple jigsaw puzzles and matching games like animal dominoes can improve your child's memory and concentration.

Playdough and clay help your child develop fine motor skills.

Favourite music or pots and pans are great for dancing or making music.

Balls can encourage kicking, throwing or rolling.

When you're encouraging your child to kick or throw, see whether you can get them to use one side of their body and then the other.

School-age children: play ideas to encourage development

Your school-age child can have fun with the following objects and activities:

Furniture, linen, washing baskets, tents and boxes are great for building cubbyhouses.

Home-made obstacle courses can get your child moving in different ways, directions and speeds.

Games like 'I spy' are great for word play. They also develop literacy skills.

Simple cooking and food preparation activities are great for developing science, numeracy, literacy and everyday skills.

Your child's own imagination can turn your child into a favourite superhero or story character.

If your child is interested, you could think about getting them into some sports or team activities for school-age children. Other possibilities include after-school or holiday art and craft activities.

Homemade toys and free activities can help children learn and develop. They're often the most creative ways for you and your child to have fun together.

If your child doesn't want to play

There might be times when your child doesn't want to play. For example, they could be tired or bored by doing the same activity for too long. This is common and usually nothing to worry about.

But sometimes a lack of play - or a lack of interest in play - can be a sign of a developmental disorder.

Here's when to consider speaking with a health professional or your child's educator:

Your baby doesn't seem to get into interactive play like peekaboo.

Your toddler has an extremely narrow interest in toys or doesn't use toys in a functional way. For example, your child is interested only in spinning the wheels of a toy car instead of driving it around the room like other children the same age.

Your preschooler isn't interested in playing with other children or in playing pretend games.

Languages other than English

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Play is more than just fun for babies and children. It's how they learn and develop. Playing with your child is one of the most important things you can do. Article available in: Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Hakha Chin, Karen, Persian, Simplified Chinese, Swahili, Tamil, Vietnamese.

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Did you know that the right brain develops first? It does so by the time children are 3-4 years of age. The left brain, on the other hand, doesn't fully come online until children are approximately seven years old; hence the first seven years being recognized as such a critical period in child development.

The left brain's functionality is one of language, numeracy, literacy, analysis and time. It is the logical, calculating, planning, busy-bee part of us that keeps us anchored in the pragmatic world, and in past and future. The right brain, on the other hand, is responsible for empathy, intuition, imagination and creativity. It is where we wonder, dream, connect and come alive. Through the right brain we dwell in the space of no-time, in being absolutely present. While the left brain is more interested in outcomes or product, the right brain cares much more about process- the journey is what matters, not the destination.

But there is one more vital piece to understand: The right brain connects us to our boundless sense of being. Being is primary; hence the right brain developing first; hence, human being, not human doing. The left brain is far more interested in doing. Young right-brain dominant children, by contrast, are quite content being.

Understanding this we can better appreciate why play is so important in child learning and development, and why we need to be extra careful with the amount and timing of academic agendas created for children; with how much we emphasize product-what kids have accomplished at school-versus process-who they are becoming and what they feel in their explorations. That the right brain develops first is pertinent information for those in the field of education, as well as parents, regarding what is developmentally appropriate. Pushing literacy and numeracy on children before age seven may just be harmful to their little, developing brains. Without the capacity to use their academic minds in the ways that are being asked can cause children to gain what's called "learned stupidity." They believe themselves to be incapable and lose their natural desire to learn.

The push for academia on children is a symptom of a society that is left brain dominant, or forgetful of the wonderful playground that is the right brain. It's an indicator that we feel safer within the literalness, control and certainty of the left brain, far more than in the unquantifiable and mysterious nature the right brain connects us to.

You cannot measure the qualitative aspects of imagination, empathy and intuition; but, of course, you can measure the aforementioned practical detail-oriented functions associated with the left brain. Yet the more we push those things that can be measured onto children, the more they will grow up feeling like they don't measure up!

Let's remember that life is less about the tools the left brain excels in and what we accomplish in this world. Rather, life is about being present and connecting with those you love, or those you don't even know as children do so freely:

"Walking to the library this morning, I passed on the sidewalk a little child, maybe two years old and his mother", wrote a friend of mine. "As I neared, the child looked at me, his eyes so alive and present, and when I said 'Hi', he stooped and picked up a soggy leaf from the ground and handed it to me. Oh, the abundance and beauty of this world!"

This is the gift of the right brain. While the left brain sunders life into pieces, the right brain unites. This is why babies sense no distinction between themselves and their environment. All is one!

These wise little teachers remind us, courtesy of their right brain, that life is about enjoying the little things, about enchantment and surprise; it's about being present with another, offering them your gentle ear, hearing between the lines, not just what is being said, which is what logic grasps. With the help of the right brain we touch the hidden places in our heart and in the hearts of others, those secret dimensions that give meaning to life.

The right brain is indeed the playground, or at least, it connects us to it. Let children dwell in this most natural state through their unstructured play, and all its derivatives such as doodling, curiosity, wonder and imagination. People who have a healthy right brain can better use their left brain tools in positive ways. That is the purpose of the left-logical brain: to serve the right brain -doing serves being. Being is the soil from which all our plans, details and actions must flower if we are to experience personal fulfillment and truly contribute to the world.

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." ~ Albert Einstein

Here is a TED Talk guaranteed to provide inspiration and more practical knowledge on the matter. Enjoy!
About the author: Vince Gowmon presents keynotes and playshops and offers somatic Life Coaching and Counselling in person, on Skype and over the phone. For more of his writing, to his free e-newsletter. You can also follow him on and .
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Check out Vince's book: Let the Fire Burn ~ Nurturing the Creative Spirit of Children, A Children's Book for Adults

Related training:
Remembering to Play ~ Inspiring Joy, Freedom and Self-Care
Teacher as Leader and Learner ~ Inspiring Engaged Co-Creative Learning
Keynote information

Related blog posts:
Nothing in Nature is Linear, Yet We Push and "Ready" Children Along Straight Pathways
Remembering the Soulfulness of Play ~ Trusting the Intelligence of Play to Raise a Child
The Core Reason We "Ready" Children Too Early and Too Much How Timed Math Worksheets Cause Anxiety and Erode Learner Confidence The Power of Letting Kids Play at School ~ A Success Story for Students and Teachers

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The Right Brain Develops First ~ Why Play is the Foundation for Academic Learning

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Photo credit: Allan Ajifo/flickr (CC BY 2.0) Did you know that the right brain develops first? It does so by the time children are 3-4 years of age. The left brain, on the other hand, doesn't fully come online until children are approximately seven years old; hence the first seven years being recognized as such a critical period in child development.