• enjoyment, fun, love of life
• relaxation, release of energy, tension reduction
• self-expression

Developmental benefits include…

Cognitive development: 

• creativity
• abstract thinking
• imagination
• problem-solving
• social cognition, empathy, perspective-taking
• mastering new concepts

Affective development: 

• self-confidence 
• self-esteem
• anxiety reduction
• therapeutic effects

Social development:

• cooperation
• sharing
• turn-taking
• conflict resolution
• leadership skill development (control of impulses and aggressive behavior)

Physical development:

• gross motor experiences
• fine motor experiences
• physical challenges
• self-help skills

Attentional development:

• attention regulation
• concentration
• persistence

Language development:

• communication skills
• vocabulary
• story telling
• emergent literacy

Educational benefits include…

• providing a meaningful context for children to learn concepts and skills;
• making learning fun and enjoyable;
• encouraging children to explore and discover together and on their own;
• allowing children to extend what they are learning;
• encouraging children to experiment and take risks;
• providing opportunities for collaborative learning with adults and peers;
• allowing for the practice of skills.