In our world, the pressure is really on for our kids. They have to be smarter and work harder than in the past. They need to be reading and writing at younger ages. They need to be proficient on a musical instrument. They need to excel in sports and take part in multiple extracurricular activities. Our nation expects these unachievably high standards of children so that we can compete with other countries. Parents push these same standards on children so that they can have a better life and a better future than their parents. These are noble goals, but are they having the effect we hope for? Such a push severely decreases or eliminates time for a child’s free play. But does that matter?
One very stark example shows that it matters very much. Charles Whitman was a seemingly normal man who led the ideal life. But in 1966 he became known as the Texas Tower Murderer as he shot and killed 14 people, in addition to his own family, and wounded 32 more. What happened? In a Ted talk, Stuart Brown explains that Whitman (and this holds true for many other criminals) experienced severe play deprivation and suppression of developmentally normal play while growing up.
The National Institute for Play explains that “a lifelong lack of play deprived him of opportunities to view life with optimism, test alternatives, or learn the social skills that, as part of spontaneous play, prepare individuals to cope with life stress.”
Did you catch that? Play helps us view life with optimism, test alternatives, learn social skills, and prepare to cope with stress. And these are only the beginning of the long list of proven benefits from play, as you will see shortly.
One very stark example shows that it matters very much. Charles Whitman was a seemingly normal man who led the ideal life. But in 1966 he became known as the Texas Tower Murderer as he shot and killed 14 people, in addition to his own family, and wounded 32 more. What happened? In a Ted talk, Stuart Brown explains that Whitman (and this holds true for many other criminals) experienced severe play deprivation and suppression of developmentally normal play while growing up.
The National Institute for Play explains that “a lifelong lack of play deprived him of opportunities to view life with optimism, test alternatives, or learn the social skills that, as part of spontaneous play, prepare individuals to cope with life stress.”
Did you catch that? Play helps us view life with optimism, test alternatives, learn social skills, and prepare to cope with stress. And these are only the beginning of the long list of proven benefits from play, as you will see shortly.
So with the mounting research on the necessity of play, why don’t parents schedule more free play time for their kids? Alvin Rosenfeld, author of The Over-Scheduled Child, suggests that over-scheduling is how we parent today. "Parents feel remiss that they're not being good parents if their kids aren't in all kinds of activities. Children are under pressure to achieve, to be competitive. I know sixth-graders who are already working on their résumés so they'll have an edge when they apply for college."
Why do we do this? Why does society think that a full schedule is the only way to succeed, that sit-down, rote learning is the only way to learn, and that we have to start this intense program by preschool? What people don’t understand is that for children, play is learning. From the time children are born, the way they learn is to manipulate their environment and figure out how it works and why. “According to Elkind, [play] best sets the stage for academic learning. For example, imaginative play enhances children’s language development; exploring properties of objects stimulates their curiosity about science; games are a precursor to developing math skills” (Berns). As children grow older, their play-learning merely becomes more complex.
Why do we do this? Why does society think that a full schedule is the only way to succeed, that sit-down, rote learning is the only way to learn, and that we have to start this intense program by preschool? What people don’t understand is that for children, play is learning. From the time children are born, the way they learn is to manipulate their environment and figure out how it works and why. “According to Elkind, [play] best sets the stage for academic learning. For example, imaginative play enhances children’s language development; exploring properties of objects stimulates their curiosity about science; games are a precursor to developing math skills” (Berns). As children grow older, their play-learning merely becomes more complex.
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play really is the work of childhood. ~Fred Rogers
Ready for the semi-comprehensive list of why play is important and what its benefits are? According to Berns and The American Academy of Pediatrics, play:
Children need play. Make time now for this vital activity. Cut out whatever else you have to. This is the most important learning opportunity you can create for your children and is one of the strongest predictors of later success. You want a better life for your children than you had? You want them to have more opportunities? Then let them play.
- develops imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength
- aids healthy brain development
- helps children conquer fears
- allows for practice of adult roles
- helps develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges
- prepares children with the skills necessary for adult life, such as working with others, cooperating, negotiating rules, etc.
- teaches children how to work in groups, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills
- allows children to practice decision-making skills
- enables the child to move from impulsive activity to planned goals
- fosters self-regulation
- gives children the chance to discover own interests
- builds active, healthy bodies and decreases their risk of obesity
- helps children discover their capacities
- creates happiness
- fosters creativity
- aids in adjustment to school by enhancing children’s learning readiness, learning behaviors, and problem-solving skills
- fosters and enhances a love of learning
Children need play. Make time now for this vital activity. Cut out whatever else you have to. This is the most important learning opportunity you can create for your children and is one of the strongest predictors of later success. You want a better life for your children than you had? You want them to have more opportunities? Then let them play.
Sources:
Stuart Brown’s Ted talk on Play
http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital?language=en
National Institute of Play
http://www.nifplay.org/vision/early-study/
Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/are-we-pushing-our-kids-too-hard
The Over-Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-ParentingTrap by Alvin Rosenfeld
American Association of Pediatrics
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182.full#sec-2
Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support by Roberta M. Berns
Stuart Brown’s Ted talk on Play
http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital?language=en
National Institute of Play
http://www.nifplay.org/vision/early-study/
Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/are-we-pushing-our-kids-too-hard
The Over-Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-ParentingTrap by Alvin Rosenfeld
American Association of Pediatrics
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182.full#sec-2
Child, Family, School, Community: Socialization and Support by Roberta M. Berns