The Benefits of play

Play is essential for the healthy development of children's brains, as it allows them to use their creativity and imagination while enhancing their physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Through play, children engage and interact with the world around them, creating and exploring a world they can master, conquering their fears, and practising adult roles. They develop new competencies, which lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges.

Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills. In child-driven play, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.

While it's ideal for adults to be involved in the play, when play is controlled by adults, children lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership, and group skills. In contrast to passive entertainment, play builds active, healthy bodies. Encouraging unstructured play may be an exceptional way to increase physical activity levels in children, which is one important strategy in the resolution of the obesity epidemic.

 Above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood.

Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd;  and the Committee on Communications; and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health

Family Fun TIME: Put away the electronics and gather around for good games.

 Monopoly Classic, Scrabble, Chess, Connect Four, Operation, Twister Game, Mouse Trap, Jenga, Mastermind, Pictionary