The Importance of Child’s Play
A
s academic success continues
to be placed in the forefront
of children’s lives, good old-
fashioned play is quickly disappearing
from homes, neighborhoods, and even
schools. Hours spent playing tag, jump-
ing in leaves, rolling in grass, and host-
ing toy tea parties have been replaced
with screens, ear buds, flashcards, and
tutors. In our effort to boost our kids’
IQs, we often overlook the value of
scheduling play dates. After all, playing
isn’t going to prepare our kids for the
real world, right? As it turns out, that
simple play date is crucial for children
at every age and stage.
Research findings show that since the
late 1970s there has been a 25 percent
drop in children’s free play and a 50
percent drop in unstructured outdoor
activities. Simultaneously, reports show
that today’s kids are more stressed
than kids of previous generations and
their mental health has plunged to a
25-year all-time low. These findings are
more than just a coincidence. When
kids engage in self-directed play it has
an immense impact on their social,
emotional, cognitive, and physical
growth. It lets them work off any anxiety
or stress they’re experiencing and it
actually increases their ability to focus
and pay attention in school. Above all,
it forges joyful memories that your kids
can look back on and it helps shape
how they view the world.
So when is the best age for kids to
have play dates? Any age, really. Even
infants absorb the interests and feelings
of those around them, and the great
thing about baby play dates is that
they don’t require anything fancy or
expensive. At that age, having a chat
with your friend over coffee or taking a
walk through the park counts as a play
date. While you have a pleasant outing
with your friends, your baby will be
taking in all the sights and sounds that
will help stimulate her mind.
Play dates are especially beneficial
for toddlers a