It is widely recognized that play is important for children and is the major occupation of children. Through play, children develop physical, cognitive and social skills. Play stimulates children’s imagination and creativity. Through play, good habits and life skills get started. It is a natural instinct for children to play. Yet, play is endangered. The amount of unscheduled time in the day of an average school-aged child has dropped by 15% since 1980. The workload and other demands on working parents means that they have less time and energy to devote to family life and to fostering play for their children.

There are many barriers to play. One is over-structuring and over-scheduling of the child’s day. Children’s after school hours are filled with classes, planned activities, and homework. There is literally no time to “lay back and be a kid”. Another barrier is an over-emphasis on early academic achievement.

Schools are increasingly moving to eliminate the “playful” parts of school, including recess, gym, sports and art programs. Some states have eliminated recess altogether because it is not academic. Academics are being stressed earlier and earlier in our educational systems and parents often feel that, in order for play to be worthwhile, the adults need to “teach” things during play.

A third barrier to play results from parents’ concerns for the safety of their children, in a culture that they perceive as increasingly violent. Outdoor play has decreased markedly and parents schedule supervised “play dates” or planned play experiences. Places for play have decreased also. When the only available play space is the local McDonalds, it is a sad reflection on our society. Not all neighborhoods have playgrounds or affordable sports programs. School playgrounds are often asphalt pads with no playground equipment.
The effects of the decreases in unstructured, physical play have had a dramatic effect on children. The rise in childhood obesity as well as in the health problems that accompany obesity are major problems facing parents. The over-reliance on television and computers has changed the type of play that children choose and lead to more passivity and reliance on others for entertainment. The increased media exposure has also exposed children to violent themes and content often without the benefit of parental supervision. Optometrists have observed that there are more vision problems now in young children as a result of focusing on TV and computer screens early.

Children are taking part in more organized sports and activities. While organized activities can be fun and playful, the amount of time and energy children have for less structured free play is reduced. Structured sports do not promote the creativity that is part of play. Also, some experts believe that today’s emphasis on goal-oriented, competitive activities often results in children who are uncivil and intolerant of others less capable.

What can parents and concerned adultsdo to promote play?

1. Understand that play is critical for leading a healthy, happy, and productive life.
2. Provide variety, moderation, and balance in all daily activities
   Spend more time playing with your children and incorporate play into your family’s daily routine.
3. Spend more time playing with your children and incorporate play into your family’s daily routine.
4. Play is not the same as toy. Play needs to be active and spontaneous.
5. Encourage interactive play with other children.
6. Encourage your children’s teachers to bring a spirit of joy and playfulness into the classroom
7. Be an advocate for play.

We dedicate this issue of the newsletter to Jo Hyland-Heath, OTR. Jo received her degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California. She founded the Hyland Clinic in 1978. The name of the clinic was changed to Therapy In Action when we moved into the present facility. After she sold the clinic to Mary Jane Zehnpfennig in 1983 she established the Children’s Therapy Center in Camarillo. Jo was an extraordinary occupational therapist, committed to improving the lives of thousands of children and their families. She will be missed.

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