Play is a psychologically important aspect of childhood.
Children should be encouraged to play with their friends and their parents and pediatricians have begun to write prescriptions for play at every child visit.
Playing age appropriate games promotes several important processes. For example repetitive games such as Peek-a-boo teach little ones about the joy of predicting what will happen next and games like Simon Says helps build impulse control.
Among the things children learn in free play are:
-the process of learning (executive function),
-self control,
-social behavior,
-mutual joy
-shared communication
-helps to regulate stress
-enhances cognition
-helps enhance social and emotional skills.
When children play with their parents it enhances their relationship. When the rules are clear and fair, play promotes mutual joy in safe, stable and nurturing relationships. When parents play with their children it deepens their relationships and builds resilience against life’s stressors.
These days children are often over scheduled so free play and low key play without pressure is welcome change. In fact, pediatricians have begun to write prescriptions for parents to play with their children. This is because studies showed that the time children spent at play declined by 25% at home and at school in recent years.
Read more…The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development, Pediatrics August 2018.