Why Play?
Too many kids are missing out on one of the most important childhood experiences. A childhood experience that can help kids grow up healthy, happy and successful. An experience chock full of creativity, exploration, imagination, physical activity, friendship and adventure. The experience is play.
Play is a crucial factor in the overall well-being of children. It affects the level of quality of life they will enjoy. Yet, play in many communities, schools, and families has been pushed to the back burner. Unstructured (i.e. free, unplanned, unrestricted, spontaneous, self-motivated) play is on the decline, and so are the benefits and good habits that go with it. Fewer kids spend time every day at a park or playground, recess is disappearing from curriculums, and playgrounds are missing from community and neighborhood development plans.
There is a nationwide scarcity of play and we are beginning to see a stark difference between children who play and children who don't.
Kids who play are healthier. Kids who play are less likely to be obese and develop obesity-related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Kids who play do better in school. Kids who play develop the cognitive skills that are positively linked to learning and academic performance.
Kids who play, play well as adults. Kids who play build their confidence and learn the social skills that help them become happy, well-adjusted adults.
Why aren't kids playing as much as they used to? Why have today's kids been pronounced the most inactive generation in history? There are at least four big reasons why. First, kids are spending more and more time in front of the television or computer. Second, the number of accessible and safe play spaces is decreasing. Third, "structured" activities such as organized sports are replacing free, "unstructured" play. Fourth, under pressure to deliver certain academic assessments, schools are cutting down on the frequency and time kids spend in recess.
If we want a world full of healthy, happy and successful adults, we need to be sure we create a world where kids can play.
Looking for more information on play and why it matters? Visit the Strong National Museum of Play.
Learn more with our Studies and Statistics.