Play is Important in Children's Development

Children's play is a 'technology' specifically needed in children's development, according to the AAP American Academy of Pediatrics, in it's recent report, "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds." I wholeheartedly agree, and have my children in play-based preschool co-ops in order to capitalize on their development, as well as my own parent education.

Some suggestions included:

* Emphasizing the benefits of "true toys", such as blocks and dolls, in which children use their imagination fully over passive toys that require limited imagination;
* Supporting an appropriately challenging academic schedule for each child with a balance of extracurricular activities. This should be based on each child's unique needs and not on competitive community standards or need to gain college admissions;
* Helping parents evaluate claims by marketers and advertisers about products or interventions designed to produce "super-children;"
* Encouraging parents to understand that each young person does not need to excel in multiple areas to be considered successful or prepared to compete in the real world;
* Suggesting families choose childcare and early education programs that meet children's social and emotional developmental needs as well as academic preparedness.

Take a look at the report, there are great suggestions on developmentally appropriate and fun activities for our kids.

Others reporting on this: AAP, Vincent Iannelli.

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