The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development

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

v     Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.

v     Despite the benefits derived from play for both children and parents, time for free play has been markedly reduced for some children

v     Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength

v     Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.

v     Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers.As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges.

v     Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.

v     When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.

v      In contrast to passive entertainment, play builds active, healthy bodies. In fact, it has been suggested that 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.

Play is a cherished part of childhood that offers children important developmental benefits and parents the opportunity to fully engage with their children. However, multiple forces are interacting to effectively reduce many children’s ability to reap the benefits of play. As we strive to create the optimal developmental milieu for children, it remains imperative that play be included along with academic and social-enrichment opportunities and that safe environments be made available to all children.