By definition, “play” indicates any activity having for only objective the pleasure that it procures. For the little child, the “play” is what enables him to be recognized as an individual and to gain his autonomy little by little. It is thus necessary to his development, both mental and physical.
Between 0 and 2 years, playing allows the child to develop his senses as well as his motor functions. Ultimately, to him, playing is sort of a “self awareness” gymnastic. At the age of two or three months, the baby discovers his hands and feet, looks at them then grabs them. He discovers that his hands allow him to grab objects: his teddy-bear’s ears, pages of a book made of fabric….
