The Dilemma About Play
Today’s society has us believing that if our children’s schedules aren’t full of new and organized experiences then we’re depriving them of vital learning opportunities.
It is common knowledge that children learn best by playing. And adults have tried to take advantage of that by structuring as much “learning” into those play moments as possible — when all we really need to do is not structure their play time at all.
Children have lost the sense — as have we — of the value of doing things “just 'cause” and on the spur of the moment, and of the value of doing nothing at all.
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., co-author of "Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less" said, “There is a myth that doing nothing is wasting time, when it’s actually extremely productive and essential ... During empty hours, kids explore the world at their own pace, develop their own unique set of interests and indulge in the sort of play that will help them figure out how to create their own happiness, handle problems with others on their own, and sensibly manage their own time. That’s a critical life skill.” (2)
Instead of getting the most out of life, many overscheduled children experience:
• anxiety
• anger
• burn out
• headaches
• stomachaches
• temper tantrums
• inability to concentrate
• sleep problems (2)
The American Academy of Pediatrics says, “The challenge for society, schools, and parents is to strike the balance that allows all children to reach their potential, without pushing them beyond their personal comfort limits, and while allowing them personal free time.” (5)
The Value of Free Unstructured Play
Through unstructured play, children experience or learn:
• Stress relief
• Physical exercise
• Self-regulation - their ability to control their emotions and behavior and to resist impulses
• Intellectual, physical, social, and emotional well-being
• How to work in groups
• Sharing
• Negotiating
• Conflict resolution
• How to speak-up for themselves (6)
• An individual sense of creativity
• Perseverance, patience, and determination
• Decision-making
Free Play Opportunities
Fortunately, finding ways to let your child engage in free, unstructured play is much simpler than, ironically, scheduling time to do it. Free, unstructured play is really as basic as going to a park, playing in the backyard, finding an open field or grassy area, arranging a play date, or dressing up in costumes or some old clothes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to:
• Not feel pressured by the apparent societal norm that our children’s success and happiness come from activities outside the family
• Allow child-driven rather than adult-directed play as much as possible
• Remember that kids need 60 minutes of moderate- and vigorous physical activity each day, which kids do not get from organized sports (3)
• Share in unscheduled, spontaneous play time with their children
• Allow children to play without the pressure of being good or getting better at, or specializing, in a particular activity or skill.
Sources:
1) Make Way for Play. Scholastic. Web. Oct 21, 2013.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/creativity-play/make-way-play
2) The Joys of Doing Nothing. Scholastic. Web. Oct 21, 2013.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/creativity-play/joys-doing-nothing
3) Unstructured Free Play Important for Kids. De Lench, Brooke. MomsTeam.com. Web. Oct 21, 2013.
http://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/unstructured-free-play-important-for-child-development-experts-say
4) New AAP Report Stresses Play for Healthy Development. American Academy of Pediatrics. Web. Oct 21, 2013.
http://www2.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm
5) The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds. Ginsburg, Kenneth R., MD, MSEd. American Academy of Pediatrics. Web. Oct 21, 2013.
http://www2.aap.org/pressroom/playFINAL.pdf
6) It’s Summertime: Let’s Play! The Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life. University of California Berkley. Web. Oct 21, 2013.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/let_kids_just_play
Reviewed October 23, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
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Description: Today’s society has us believing that if our children’s schedules aren’t full of new and organized experiences then we’re depriving them of vital learning opportunities. It is common knowledge that children learn best by playing, and adults have tried to take advantage of that by structuring as much “learning” into those play moments as possible
Page Title: Let the Children Play: Free Unstructured Play Leads to Healthier Children