Lots of free play will do good to children develop, says new study

CHICAGO: Children will do well in their healthy development with a lot of old-fashioned playtime, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. It says the overscheduled lifestyle is robbing them of the benefits of play. The academy is releasing a new report Monday, which says spontaneous free play like playing with toys like dolls or chasing butterflies in the garden help children to use their imagination. But, unfortunately, these are often sacrificed in today's world, which affects their healthy development.The report advocates promotion of free play as an essential part of childhood, avoidance as far as possible of television and computer games, which are passive entertainment, and active involvement of parents in their children's daily activities like spending time together and talking and listening to them rather than giving them loads of extracurricular activities. The report recalls several studies, which emphasize that unstructured play benefits children, especially in making them creative, in discovering their own passions and in developing instincts for problem solving. The report, which is to be released at the academy's annual meeting in Atlanta, said above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood. The report warns that a lack of free and spontaneous playtime can lead to stress in children as well as in their parents. It can also increase risks of obesity in children, because they would tend to spend more time in front of computers or TV sets. Sometimes, such a situation can lead to depression too. The report's lead author and a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Dr Kenneth Ginsburg said in the current environment where so many parents feel pressure to be super parents, "I believe this message is an important one."Ginsberg also stressed that college admissions is another factor that is pushing kids too fast and too soon to grow up. However, this is a factor one should address easily.