Posted on 08/20/2018 4:02:16 PM PDT by Mariner
Imagine a drug that could enhance a child’s creativity, critical thinking and resilience. Imagine that this drug were simple to make, safe to take, and could be had for free.
The nation’s leading pediatricians say this miracle compound exists. In a new clinical report, they are urging doctors to prescribe it liberally to the children in their care.
What is this wonder drug? Play.
“This may seem old-fashioned, but there are skills to be learned when kids aren’t told what to do,” said Dr. Michael Yogman, a Harvard Medical School pediatrician who led the drafting of the call to arms. Whether it’s rough-and-tumble physical play, outdoor play or social or pretend play, kids derive important lessons from the chance to make things up as they go, he said.
The advice, issued Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics, may come as a shock to some parents. After spending years fretting over which toys to buy, which apps to download and which skill-building programs to send their kids to after school, letting them simply play — or better yet, playing with them — could seem like a step backward.
The pediatricians insist that it’s not. The academy’s guidance does not include specific recommendations for the dosing of play. Instead, it asks doctors to advise parents before their babies turn 2 that play is essential to healthy development. It also advocates for the restoration of play in schools.
(Excerpt) Read more at bakersfield.com ...
During weekends and summer days mom would just throw us out of the house.
And recess was simply release onto the "play" ground.
Bump to your thoughts.
All kids’ events today are way over programmed. Kids don’t have time to be themselves. Always gotta be doing something to please somebody else.
Ridiculous!!
Teachers are worried about bullying, name calling, harassment etc. Thus the supervised playground, which has no play.
It’s a crime against humanity.
“Play is a child’s work.”
Sounds similar to what Dr. Jordan Peterson was saying on The Next Revolution last night. Kids are FAR too structured during their off time. Big backyards, sand boxes, bikes, baseball gloves, swings, etc. is what they need. One organized sport is ok, but kids now are regimented most of their waking hours....or they’re on the tv or computer.
Who knew our parents and so many of us were forward thinking radicals?
Staggeringly unbelievable. “Play” is considered old fashioned? The American Academy of Pediatrics has to issue guidance and advice on play? The benefits of play comes as a shock to some parents?
Has the entire U.S. lost it’s marbles?
Baby Einstein, flash cards, START, play dates — the biggest bunch of flapdoodle ever devised.
Playgrounds, swings, seesaws, sandboxes, beach balls, cardboard boxes — that’s all that’s needed.
This is a product of the modern women’s rights crap.
Often multiple activities are scheduled on DAD’S time, in the case of divorce, by mom so that kids can’t play and bond with DAD when they are on a field kicking a ball around.
Helicoptering parents that are still intact enjoy the social aspect for THEMSELVES. They use planned “activities” as a “look at me I’m such a good parent” gauge and to socialize with other soccer moms/dads.
LOL, there were seven of us and we were always being kicked out of the house to go and play. We’d be gone for hours, and during the summer we’d stay out after dark. It was great fun.
In elementary school we had two 30 minute recesses (morning and afternoon) and an hour for lunch/recess each day—this was true from first through sixth grade.
I look at my grandkids, and wonder where it all went wrong. Even my kids growing up in Alaska learned the dangers of coastal living, local grizzlies, and wandering too far from home. My grandkids are ALL urban. Never out from under the watchful eye of a parent or caregiver. All I have are huge ????
Combine free play with other kids, with skill learning. Like sports, or other things the kid loves. Most of his in-school time is wasted except for social skills, which can be harmed by some school environments anyway.
We can’t let little kids just go alone to the parks, too many molesters out there, and now you will KNOW your child was molested. In earlier generations, the parents didn’t know, or even wouldn’t listen to the kid tell about what the nice Mr. Green or Father Kasey did at the park.
But my kids need their sports training because kids from age 10 on have better sense of themselves and a better work ethic if they have mastered a few things by age 10. And if they have a sport in their teens, they have automatic somewhat healthy peer groups as well as an activity they love keeping them busy. They end up hard working adults.
So to make their lives balanced, I schedule in free time, and park group play (with me or other parent supervision). Definitely, kids need the magic of just free play!
“What is this wonder drug? Play.”
A clue for the clueless.
“... creativity, critical thinking ...”
Hippie/hipster buzzwords that are excuses for letting their child act like a zoo animal. Is there any evidence that the last two generations have produced greater art due to their unstifled creativity? They can’t think critically for crap.
I have been saying for years, let kids play. I believe this is part of the reason The USA has been on such a creative edge in the past, we let our kids play.
Can’t. Must have an adult organizing their playtime.
“Playgrounds, swings, seesaws, sandboxes, beach balls, cardboard boxes — that’s all that’s needed.”
Hell, not even that.
Just let them loose into the environment. Literally.
Over half my lifetime of play was while walking to/from school.
Boys with guns and cars while girls with dolls. Unlike sick libtards who think it’s the other way around.,.
“We can’t let little kids just go alone to the parks”
Neighborhood parents can take shifts just watching the local park.
Instructed to not interfere with the kids, and to call 911 if a pervert appears. This is easy.
Can’t...what?
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