To play or not to play

We have spent a lot of time and attention discussing the merits of being active.  No one will disagree that being active is better than being inactive.  (Any couch potatoes out there who disagree?).  So the question becomes “Should we, and if so, when should we, start children on a skill development program?”  The argument is that if a child is more skilled at something than they are more likely to do it and make a habit of it.  So how do we find out what skill or activity at which the child excels physically, cognitively, and emotionally? 

Think of all the different activities out there. How many team sports are there available to children? How many individual sports? How many non-competitive activities? How many activities where the child can just run, and jump, and play….you know, be a kid. 

One way that is fast becoming extinct is for parents to play with their children rather than shuffling them off to the “next activity”.  I am amazed at how many parents drop the kids off somewhere as they do their errands, shopping, etc.  After soccer, it’s off to karate, or baseball, or basketball, the list goes on. 

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights states that every child has the right to play (Ginsberg, 2007) .When a parent plays with their child, the child develops creativity, imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play time helps enhance the academic setting by attending to social and emotional needs. Undirected play allows a child to learn to share, communicate, and resolve conflicts while too much “adult organized” activity causes a loss of creativity, and loss leadership and group skills (Ginsberg, 2007).  Adult directed activity places undue burdens and expectations on many children who may not be able to live up to their parents wishes.  When a parent plays with a child, they can see where the child excels or has no interest or skill without extensive genetic, physical, or cognitive tests.  Simple “playtime” may be the best answer for determining in what activities children should participate.

In a 2009 New York Times article (Parker-Pope, 2009), it is suggested that 15 minutes of recess improved classroom behavior and is as important as the directed academics.  The article goes on to state that the Journal of School Health reported that children involved in physical activity during gym class performed better on tests than their sedentary counterparts.  The solution - let them play and use their imaginations; let them join in on a pick up game of any sport; throw a ball or a Frisbee with them.  Please, just let kids be kids as it will help them academically. 

Ginsberg, K.  (2007)  The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds.  Pediatrics 116(1), 182-191. 

Parker-Pope, T. (2009). The 4 r's? A fourth is crucial, too: Recess. The New York Times, February 24, 2009. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/24well.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=recess&st=cse on April 17, 2009.