The second reason for keeping the child involved is to allow them to develop their mental and physical skills. Previously when society was simpler and rooted to Mother Nature fun filled activity for the child was all part of the natural process of growing up. In reality it was a process of learning – a natural process that did not require advice from child specialists. It was connected to the culture of the region and was also specific to the particular family. But since man has moved away from Mother Nature to urban or semi urban conditions both the child and the adult are at a loss to find out what is best activity for the growing years of a child. Many pundits opine various theories and it is difficult to sort out the chaff from the grain. The underlying truth is that what is suitable for the child in remote Africa will not be so for the little one in a distant village of China.
The main aim of activity is learning. School learning by rote may become tiresome and not always palatable. This has given rise to the concept of learning through activity that is packed with the punch of fun and enjoyment.
As the lion cub learns to hunt by having fun chasing the tail of the mother lioness so too the human child learns the by miming its parents and family members as well as peers in society. The first game of the infant is playing with its fingers and toes. It sees, feels, hears and tastes as it takes in the smell of everything it can grab starting with its own tempting body parts. A child gurgles splashing a bowl of water as it gets the feel of outside world. It is a joy for adults to watch the child actively learning while having fun.