Play is vital in the foundation phase and has conducive relationship with development and learning. Questions which can be posed in relation to understand value of play includes like what process unfolding inside the child’s mind? And what impact play has on the child? In broad level, playing is developing well the holistic development of the learners, which incorporate the 3 domains of development comprises of affective, cognitive and psycho-motor. Secondly, play complements children’s discipline-based learning, in the process strengthening the depth to envisaged actual and possible learning outcomes of the curriculum play content. Children inside the classroom are very different. They all have different skills, strength and even weaknesses as they do not come from the same back rounds. It is very crucial for a teacher to create games in the classroom for the learners to play as it enhances the ability of interaction, communication and group work. Playing also helps learners to have thinking abilities because they have to think on how to win or get the correct answers to the game given. When the learners have developed all these skills, their self-esteem is promoted; they will not lack self- esteem. In most cases, learners enjoy learning by themselves and not being told what to do, therefore when playing; they learn by themselves, they become curious of what is needed or done and find way to do what should be done correctly.( UNICEF 2018). Teaching and learning through play is regarded as the fundamental method in the foundation phase. According to the Child Development Institute, the larger part of brain development occurs after birth, in other words physical play helps a child develop connections between the nerve cells and the brain. While the connections develops the learner’s fine and gross motor skills, socialization skills, personal awareness skills, language skills, creativity skills and problem solving skills are improved. Good play activities bring together play with social interactions and problem solving (Naudé & Meier. 2016).

In children's culture, there are three types of play.

1. Tradition: In traditional games, rules are essential.This is the way the game will always be played,Many classic children's games have rules that must be followed and are rarely disregarded.

2. Open: An improvisational approach known as open play.Although there are rules in open play, they can be altered based on the needs of the children as they play.The structure of the overall setting is vital.

3. Original play: Original play is innovative and centered on the pursuit of knowledge.

Element of play.

• Play is a mental and emotional state of being.
• Surprising and challenging elements are present in play.
• Play is a combination of a method, an attitude, and a structure.
• Play is a voluntary and unifying activity that is an important aspect of the socialization process.
• Participants rate the aesthetic quality of the game, and the game creates an informal arena for socio-historical commentary.
• Roles in society are reinforced through play.