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Did you know that free play is directly linked to the the development of the brain’s prefrontal cortex (the wise leader part of the brain which directs our highest levels of thinking and functioning) ?

In this 21st century, play has changed dramatically.  This is the first generation of kids who need to be encouraged to play and that’s because video games and other electronic devices don’t count!  It’s scary that we now need to strategize as to how to get our kids to play outdoors or take part in free play indoors.

It’s incredible that there are 10+ benefits to unstructured play and yet we don’t make it a priority!  After reading these 12 benefits I think you’ll agree that we need to preserve our children and teens’ free play time…

12 Brain Benefits of Free Play (The Dolphin Way, Shimi Kang, MD)

1. Free Play Develops Adaptability

Play involves making mistakes.  Play gives us a chance to experience failure and then try again and figure things out.  Trial and error is part of life and play gives children a chance to practice.

2. Free Play Allows for Discovery

We all love to make discoveries and that’s because the human brain releases dopamine when it learns new things and then we feel  joy and a sense of well-being.  Exploration is a form of play and through discovery we discover independence and prepare to leave the nest.

3.  Free Play Is Fun & A Stress Reliever

We’re all going to experience stress, therefore we need to find ways to relieve our stress.  Play helps us tap into our passions and relieve stress.

4.  Free Play Helps Develop Team Skills

Play gives children/teens the opportunity to bond, helps them develop trust, and understand the concepts of sharing and fairness. Children also develop leadership skills through their experiences in play.

5. Free Play Increases our Creativity and Innovation

Through play we observe, question, experiment, and try out our ideas in a safe place.

6. Free Play Helps Us to Problem-Solve

The ability to problem-solve will be one of the top skills required for our children when they enter the work force.  Through play, they are presented with challenges and this gives them the opportunity to find their own solutions.

7.  Free Play Develops Our Mindfulness

Play allows us to remain in the present without judgment – a skill that many adults have lost!  The more children and teens can practice this, the more they are strengthening their mindfulness neural pathways.

8.  Free Play Develops Complex Circuits in The Brain

By manipulating objects and touching materials we are developing complex circuits in the brain that encourage exploration, risk assessment, and utility skills.

9.  Free Play Builds Our Imagination & Empathy

Creativity is one of the top three most needed skills in the workforce.  Creativity is built on our imagination.  Through imagination children and teens learn the power of their incredible minds.

By being able to imagine and play in an imaginary world, children can also imagine what it feels like to be another person – this is what we describe as empathy.

10. Play Strengthens Attachment

When was the last time you and your family laughed together? Hopefully this weekend.  Laughing produces positive feedback to our biological system and creates bonding. Without attachment, we have no influence, thus the importance of having fun together!  There’s an old saying, which says:  “Families that play together, stay together”.

11. Free Play Teaches Boundaries & Emotional Regulation

When we engage in rough housing (which is highly recommended), our children learn the limits of how much to push, pull and pounce!  Children learn to read social skills and quickly receive feedback from others when they are getting too rough.  Through rough-and-tumble play, children learn how to manage anger and aggression.

12. Celebratory Play Encourages Rituals and Family Traditions

When children feel secure in their families, they feel more secure in the world.  Family rituals and traditions are one way of creating a solid family foundation.  Children and teens thrive on repetition and predictability which is what family traditions provide.

This information came from the great book, The Dolphin Way: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy and Motivated Kids Without Turning Into a Tiger, by Shimi Kang, MD.

In this book, Dr. Shimi Kang, (child and youth psychiatrist and expert on motivation) gives further evidence that authoritarian parenting (“Tiger” parenting) in the 21st century, hinders self-motivation, whereas parenting in the “Dolphin” way (also known as authoritative, Backbone, Bamboo, Kind and Firm) will prepare our children to be successful and adaptable in the future.

Shimi Kang, references the world-renowned Finnish education system as a proven example of play being made a priority in school and in the Finnish culture, with excellent academic results in test scores across the world.

Her recommendations, which are the take-action tips for this week are:

• Give children the freedom and time to play (less over-scheduling and pushing our kids)
• Create a favourable environment for play (and get out of the way!)
• Be mindful of homework (homework is on the rise and takes away from our child’s free time)
• Role model the value of play
• Play in nature

Have a playful week,

Warmly,

PS.  Registration has just opened for my next round of in-person “Brain Science” Anxiety Management Groups for January 2023! (Ages 7-9yrs. and 10-12yrs.). (The Online Brain Science Group will be announced soon.). To find out more about the in-person group and to register, please click here.

PPS.  Dr. Shefali is coming to Vancouver this week!  There are still come tickets available here.  Dr. Shefali is a great speaker. She will really get you thinking about yourself and your own triggers that play a big part in parenting your child and teen. She explains that raising kids also means raising ourselves.

You may also like to read my article which also connects to the importance of creativity: Wise Words from Dr. Yong Zhao on Our Children’s Education & The Fourth Industrial Revolution