As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges.” ~ Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd. A child’s self-esteem begins developing pretty much at birth and is impacted day by day. When an infant receives loving and positive attention, it helps nurture a sense of security, safety, and self-acceptance that can bloom into life-long confidence. A meta-analysis of 191 research articles on self-esteem which spanned 165,000 people found that self-esteem first begins to rise between ages 4 and 11. During this time, children are developing socially and cognitively and discovering independence. That is why play is especially important during this age (and all of childhood)! Play is a fantastic, all-purpose ingredient for cultivating confidence that can last into adulthood. This infographic from Playground Equipment explores 30 quotes, figures, and studies on the importance of play for confidence in children.