Children need more unstructured free play

I drove into work today and listened to a really interesting report on NPR about the importance of giving our children more unstructured free play. According to the American Pediatric Association, children are being overwhelmed and stressed out with too manyy structured activities, and is now stressing the importance of free play in promoting healthy child development.

NPR interviewed a pediatrician who said, in the year since the APA issued its report, statistics show that children are being even MORE overwhelmed with structured activities, and given even less time for unstructured free play. The result being that tests show that this inhibits a child's natural creativity, independent thinking and problem solving skills, which impact directly on how they perform in school.

He recommends that, instead of carting our children to and from various activities, to have more restrictions on TV and video game usage, and encourage our children to play outside more, or inside with their toys.

I thought it was an interesting perspective... here's a link to the report by the APA:

APA report on promoting free play

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I totally agree with that!!

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I 150% agree with this. DS is in daycare 4 days a week, I am home with him 1 day. I have been so tempted to do a class with him on that day but something keeps telling me that it's his one day to really just be a kid kid without the strict schedule and routine of the other four days a week.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I don't know how I feel about ANY study anymore. They always seem to contradict themselves at some point or another, don't they?

More eggs, less eggs, no eggs.

I have decided that from now on I am going with my gut!

My kids don't do a lot of structured activities and never really have. We choose one thing at a time and kind of stick with it. I DO try to add some structure to their play at home though - sneaking in life and academic lessons in the every day.

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Now that DC's toy room is separate from the living room, when DW or I put on one of "our" shows (either a History show, or Home/car-related show), DC seem more than willing to play on their own in their playroom....

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

Posted by rojerono

I don't know how I feel about ANY study anymore. They always seem to contradict themselves at some point or another, don't they?

More eggs, less eggs, no eggs.

I have decided that from now on I am going with my gut!

My kids don't do a lot of structured activities and never really have. We choose one thing at a time and kind of stick with it. I DO try to add some structure to their play at home though - sneaking in life and academic lessons in the every day.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I agree with the study. From day 1 my parents told me that it is very important for Ella to have unstructured free play time. I was driving myself nuts signing her up for this class and that class and that's when my parents said to me I should take a step back from all these different classes and stuff because sometimes these classes are not that important as Ella leraning to play on her own.

Message edited 1/12/2009 8:22:24 AM.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

Posted by Bxgell2

Posted by rojerono

I don't know how I feel about ANY study anymore. They always seem to contradict themselves at some point or another, don't they?

More eggs, less eggs, no eggs.

I have decided that from now on I am going with my gut!

My kids don't do a lot of structured activities and never really have. We choose one thing at a time and kind of stick with it. I DO try to add some structure to their play at home though - sneaking in life and academic lessons in the every day.

I feel the same way to a degree, but in this instance, I agree that children do need more unstructured play time, either at home or with their friends. The pediatrician on the show made a good point - he said, turn off the TV and put out some toys and just watch your kid play - you can see, as they play, how they are learning how to problem solve, think creatively and independently. At least with Alex, it's SOOO true.

There are so many times I wonder if I'm doing enough for her - whether I should sign her up for classes after school or on the weekend. But this gives a little more validation to my gut instinct that she's just a kid, and that by just chilling at home with us or with friends, playing, does more for her development than I realized.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I totally agree with this. My neice is almost 4 and has NO IDEA how to entertain herself. She is in so many "things" that she freaks out the second she has to find something to do on her own. IMO she is completely overstimulated which causes MANY of her behavior issues.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

This is helpful since sometimes on the weekends I feel guiltty for doing chores while DS reads or plays with his toys by his lonesome. Now I can fold laundry and not feel guilty

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I have heard that a lot recently. In newer studies. Its because the classes etc are more geared towards the parents even at this point, so we have fun and want more, and also the mindset of our kids deserve the best, lets have them professionally entertained etc.

Its hard NOT to do it IMO, but I do believe the study is right.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I live in the land of wonderful park, public pools..always empty.

I can't help but think where have all the children gone???

They aren't out riding bikes...

We were on a hiking trail a few weeks ago and came across a lake with trees and low branches.

Leo says I bet whatever kids live around here are all over this in the summertime with rope swings and makeshift rafts.

I laughed and said not unless they have an extension cord so the Wi can come out and play as well.

We were talking about huge snowmen we use to make...rolling the balls in snow for hours...you could not pay a kid now to go out and roll a ball of snow for hours!

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

I'm sure some will disagree, and that's fine, but I really believe a lot of this has to do with all the standardized testing that is being forced upon our children..

Maybe we don't see so much of the effects on pre-school, but definitely starting in kindergarten and up...especially full-day kindergarten.

I worked in a district with full day kinder and it is a fact that a lot of free play is frowned upon by certain districts. They feel that if children are in school full time (although it's not mandated) then these children should be engaged in academic studies, not just "playing"...personally I think it's ridiculous. How much is learned through free play is extraordinary...self-discovery, socialization, imagination growth, etc...

The pressure put on the schools (and therefore resulting in pressure on the children) is unbelievable...the only way to achieve these expected results is to start prepping kids in kindergarten...but it is getting way beyond what I feel is acceptable in the lower level grades...free play is being cut out because teachers are running out of time to meet the curriculum requirements.

I think academics are extremely important - I also think raising the bar for our children is also important...but I definitely think creativity and imagination are just as important and our children are not given enough opportunities to express themselves and grow in these areas as much as we did in the past due to the high stress on academics and not enough stress on free play...

Recess is simply not enough (20 minutes)...

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

great points...

I also feel that if I am at a public pool on a sunday afternoon in July...why is it always empty? What else do people have going on?

I think a lot is lazy parenting. To pick up your kid from dance class makes you feel like you did something that day...but really, don't most kids just want to show someone how long they can stay underwater for?

Saturday I met up with another mom at our favorite park. This place is always empty and its the greastest park...nothing compares.

Its just always in my head...everyday. What park should I have him run around at today?

Its so important! run around like a nut, climbing, jumping, digging...

I have a cousin who has a 12 year old. I am not exaggerating. She is in dance/cheerleading 4 days a week for 3 hours a day. why? because my cousin figures its better she is out of house doing something while my cousin is working then to be sitting at home.

how about hiring a tutor? have homework done by the time you get home from work.

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

great point browneyes.

I love it when people try and sell me on their preschool. They teach them how to read by 3. who cares???????????

what crafts are they making?
what does their playground look like?

Re: Children need more unstructured free play

ITA. I bring my son to the playground every day in the spring (after work) for an hour or so... just so he can run around and get it out...

In the winter time we bring him to my gym... they have a great child care where the kids just go bonkers

Re: Children need more unstructured free play