When participating in a play-based program we encourage our participants to not only use their minds when participating in new activities but to use their physical strength as well. When a child is enjoying the fun associated with engaging in activities, they are also producing endorphins, the good-feeling chemical that floods your body when exercise is involved. This type of structured play reduces anxiety, and depression while providing a healthy outlet for managing everyday stress.

As we incorporate the physical component of play into our play based groups the children not only look forward to the immediate gratification of the activity at hand, but also enjoy the ways in which their bodies feel during and after the exercise.

We feel it is important to incorporate a physical component of play into many of the programs offered in our day-to-day sessions, not only to teach children body recognition, coordination and strengthen muscles, but also to make this critical part of play habitual. Once a child experiences the internal rewards affiliated with physical play the motivation becomes intrinsic. Research has proven that children who participate in physically laborious games/activities have more concentration, higher energy levels and, overall, enhanced emotional well-being.