Healthy Children and Play

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), published a clinical report regarding the need for free or unstructured play in the life of children. The report even goes so far as to note that “Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.”

Long ago, it seems, unstructured play was not an issue. As economies were agriculturally driven, children did their chores and what time they had left was lost in imaginary play with few, if any, technologically influenced play things. Such play, uninhibited by parents, teachers, software producers and media moguels is necessary to many different aspects of normal physical, social and mental well-being.

Play also offers another important dimension to a child’s life: leisurely, one-on-one interaction with his parents. Many factors have impacted the loss of free play in our society including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure and an increased attention to academics and enrichment activities, all of which have had a negative influence on free play. Unfortunately, many well-to-do parents view free play as time wasted. Parents raising children on the other end of the socio-economic scale simply do not have the luxery of time to devote to engaging their children in free play. However, the results of the report are clear: all socio-economic groups need to seek balance in their lives and in the lives of their children to assure the optimal developmental environment.

The AAP report, trying to rally pediatrician assistance in promoting free-play makes it clear that...” although the guidelines are written in defense of play, they should not be interpreted as being against other forces that compete for children’s time. Academic enrichment opportunities are vital for some children’s ability to progress academically, and participation in organized activities is known to promote healthy youth development.”

The Benefits of Play

At a very young age, children quite naturally, play to increase their physical, cognitive and emotional strengths. Imagine the child, wailing from his crib and then suddenly lapsing into silence – he has found a way to comfort himself, perhaps by sucking on his fist, etc. This is an indicator of emotional growth. The child who repeatedly rises to his arms and legs is working to strengthen his body for crawling and eventually, walking upright – a sure sign of physical development. The child who plays hide and seek eventuallylearns permanence – that is things that “disappear” are not “gone” at all. Children need to have mastery of themselves in these ways to gain confidence and the ability to bounce back following adversity in their later years.

If children are left to their own devices, they will practice many skills at their own pace, discover their personal range of interests and will have the ultimate ability to focus on and engage fully in the particular interests they later pursue. Too much adult involvement can mean low self-esteem, lack of creativity and leadership. When all is said and done, simple play is one of the cherished memories of childhood. It is important to point out, however, that although too much adult involvement in childhood play can have a negative impact on development, it is essential that parents take the opportunity often to get involved in their child’s playtime. Get down on their level and enjoy a tea-party or two, vroom – vroom some trucks into your toddlers garage, don pirate gear and enter into some “jolly” good time with your kindergartner…and oh, yes, don’t forget to let him be the captain!

Find Out more about how free-play impacts Academics!

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