Playing in Water: A Fun Activity for Kids with Benefits

Mummy: “Vihaan, that’s enough of bathing. Please come out of the tub now!” 

Vihaan: “5 minutes more mummy. Please!”

This is a daily dialogue between me and my son during summers. No matter how long he has spent in the tub, it is never enough!

Though as mothers, we fret over the clean up that is to be done post a water play session, the activity itself has immense benefits for children. Let us look at them:

1. Exposes them to a great sensory experience: Water play is a good sensory experience as it exposes them to slippery, slimy textures and various temperatures levels. 

2. An Excellent way to release excess energy: The splashing and kicking can release all the excess energy while having fun. 

3. Is an Educational experience: Children get to experience many scientific and mathematical facts during water play. Archimedes principle, the concept of empty full, half, etc. Measuring water and comparing volumes. This is not only helpful in the younger years but in older children as well. 

4. Is Therapeutic by nature: A quiet time spent scooping, pouring and running their hands through water can allow little minds to unwind and relax. 

5. Develops Language: Each variety of activity brings with it its own unique vocabulary. Children learn new words through water play. Scoop swim splash, basin, depth, drain, drench, drizzle, etc the list can go on. 

6. Improves Motor Skills: Try pouring water in front of a baby. what does it do? He tries to catch the flow of water with his hands. One of the many ways to develop motor skills in children. 

7. Improves Hand-Eye Coordination: Actions such as squirting, scooping, scrubbing and pouring out water leads to improved hand-eye coordination. 

8. Improves Muscle Strength: Swimming is one of the best exercises for children that can build stamina and improve muscle strength. 

9. Excellent Way of Getting Vitamin D: Nothing can beat the pleasure of a sunny day spent at the beach waters while getting some vitamin D. 

Hence, we can see that water play has valuable benefits for the overall development of the child. It is both recreational as well as educational. From 2013 to 2021, this statistic depicts the percentage of respondents who participate in water activities in the United States. In 2021, roughly 14 percent of people (aged six and up) participated in water sports.

So parents, let go once in a while and let your child indulge in this pleasurable activity. But do remember to teach them how to clean up later!

Let Them Splash!

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!