Blog

 Is Your Child/Teen Getting Enough Free Play?

What if I told you there was an activity that would increase your child’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being…isn’t that something we would all want to sign up for right away?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, this activity is free play.

Play is essential to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children and youth.

However, there is still a tendency to trivialize play and over-schedule kids with activities in order to keep up with the other kids.

It’s not uncommon for children to be signed up for more than three activities per week and have no time for free play.

The American Academy of Pediatrics lists 6 benefits which highlight the importance of free play:

1) It is important to the healthy development of the brain

2) Free, unstructured play helps children learn how to work collaboratively, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills

3) Child-directed play gives practice for decision-making skills

4) In free play, children move at their own pace, discover areas of interest on their own, and ultimately follow their passions

5) Free play with a parent creates strong attachment bonds

6) Free play protects against stress and pressure

In my work as a Child and Family Counsellor, I am also a play therapist and therefore have the privilege of seeing the benefits of play on a daily basis.  I think this quote from L.R. Knost sums it up well:

     For a child,

it is in the simplicity of play 

that the complexity of life

is sorted like puzzle pieces, 

joined together to make sense of the world.

I see this in my work over and over again.  As I interact with the child, while allowing the child to lead, I see the themes that are appearing in his/her conscious life appear in the play that is projected onto the toys.  This is insightful for me to have a glimpse into the child’s inner world, and healing for the child, to have a safe, non-judgmental place to process all of his/her experiences, make sense of them and work through them.

I was recently interviewed by an American Radio Station called Empower for a show called, Creating Change, on the benefits of play and how play helps with creativity and healing.  If you would like to listen to the interview (as you fold your laundry and have your cup of tea or coffee!), click here.

I was shocked to hear, from the host, Doug Foresta, that some American elementary schools are considering dropping recess to make more time for academics! This makes no sense to me whatsoever!  Children need breaks in their day; they can’t continue to absorb information hour after hour without some kind of physical activity break, especially in the outdoors!

It’s essential that we recognize the tremendous value of play and make it a priority.  Even our day-to-day language makes play sound insignificant.  For example, “Just go and play”,  “You can stop working now and go play”, “Stop playing around”

Meanwhile, play is an essential developmental skill.  It is also the key to a strong relationship no matter what one’s age!

“Families that stay together, play together”

Think of the benefits for families!

PLAY…

• nurtures families
• adds laughter and lightness
• creates life-long memories
• gives a stronger sense of family togetherness
• creates a sense of belonging
• opens up lines of communication
• heals relationships
• eases tension
• builds family traditions
• develops strong bonds

In our busy lives, it’s convenient to cut out playtime, but the benefits of playing board games or cards, having pillow fights, going for bike rides, going on hikes, building lego, baking, woodworking, building, sewing, doing art, kicking a ball, bouncing a basketball, scrapbooking, playing hide and seek, etc. etc. are too important to cut out when it comes to strong and connected heart to heart relationships.

Take Action Tip:  Plan a “Play” activity for all of you to do together today!

Have fun playing together!

Warmly,