Play lies at the center of life for a child, and it should. In this episode of Breaking Bread, Amy Mammadov, a speech language pathologist, along with Brian Sutter, shine light on this important aspect of human growth and development. Additionally, parents should encourage, teach, evaluate and share in the enjoyment of play with our children.    Show notes:  Encourage Play:  Play is critical in the development of language, thought and human relations.   Teach Play:  The norms and technology of the day have stunted play. Some children need to be taught how to play.   Evaluate Play:  Not all play is equal. Many toys and forms of amusement today are adult directed play. Child directed play, on the other hand, provides rich areas of growth and potential.  Utilize Play:  Playing with your child gives you insights into where they are developmentally and provides an opportunity to model healthy reasoning.  Share in the enjoyment of play:  Shared enjoyment is key. If play is anything at all, it is fun. Parents are encouraged to connect with their children at the level of shared fun.