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Playing (lots of it) is good for children

By on December 10, 2015

Many parents I know rant about having to buy new toys every now and then as their children lose interest in the old toys.

This is all part of cognitive development as brain cells connect and grow.

Your child will grow trillions of brain-cell connection during the first year. It is important for parents to give babies/toddlers exposure to things that they can explore, question and play as they grow into adulthood.

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has recognized ‘play’ as a right of every child and that each one deserves the opportunity to develop to their unique individual. Several studies made by experts in Early Childhood Development stress that play is an important opportunity for parents and caregivers to engage fully with children and is fundamental to their academic environment.

It is through play that children at a very early age learn to engage and interact with those around them, developing new skills that build their confidence and resilience along the way. They create and explore a world they can master enabling them to conquer their fears while practicing adult roles with other children or caregivers.

Striking a balance

Maria Edgeworth’s famous proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.”

Sound parenting isn’t about grabbing each and every opportunity on offer. Some children have schedules so full it requires full focus to keep up with them—Aikido on Mondays, Language tutors on Tuesdays, football on Wednesdays – you get the picture.

Despite the many benefits of play, a study by the Academy of American Pediatrics warns parents of  ‘potential repercussions’ when child-driven free play time is cut or lessened as they over book their children.

Over-scheduled children reacting to less play time with increased stress could lead to other mental health and behavior issues.

The role of judging whether the child’s involvement level is appropriate or not belongs to parents. They shouldn’t feel as though they are running on a treadmill for fear their children will fall behind.

Conventional wisdom dictates that balance needs to be achieved according to the child’s needs, temperament, environment and the family’s needs.

 

 

About Marlow Hauser

Marlow Hauser is a full-time data scientist, part-time writer, trailing spouse and mother of two. She has a PhD in Psychology and writes about education and food.