All parents strive to provide their children with all the tools they need to be healthy, successful, and happy. Our society tends to emphasize structured activities like school, regulated sports, and music lessons. However, unstructured play is essential for children's health and development. At Ahimsa MD, we acknowledge this and work with kids and their parents to ensure holistic care.
The Importance Of Play
Children need structure in their day to feel grounded. Knowing that they are going to bed and waking up in the same place, that they will have meals at approximately the same time, and that they will be at school and extracurricular activities at the same time every day provides stability. Yet research consistently shows that unstructured playtime is critical to children's development and health.Pretend play supports cognitive development in children by improving their executive functioning or decision-making skills. Additionally, research reflects that unstructured play between the ages of two and five is correlated with increased self-regulation two years later.
The ability to self-regulate can reduce anxiety and improve confidence in children because they feel more capable of handling their emotions in different settings.Unstructured play in group settings is crucial for the progression of social skills. Kids allowed regular unstructured play with their peers improve their pro-social behaviors, which refer to their ability to make friends, share, and problem-solve within a group. The previously mentioned self-regulation skills also play a role in group interactions. These skills will help them throughout their lives.Beyond the cognitive and social benefits of unstructured play, kids will also receive physical health benefits. Kids and adults alike need physical activity to support their overall health.
Physical activity helps reduce weight or prevent weight gain while also developing muscles necessary for both movement and structure. However, partaking in regular physical activity is also associated with mental health benefits.Most kids are in environments requiring them to sit still for almost eight hours daily. Their bodies and minds crave physical activity at the end of that day. Ensuring kids have that time for physical play is vital for their overall development. Even risky play, which can be scary for parents to witness, has been shown to have importance in development. Risky play has been shown to improve children's problem-solving abilities as well as their motor skills. It's also been correlated with increased health both overall and psychologically.
How Can Parents Foster This Type Of Play?
It has been established that unstructured play offers many benefits to children. Consequently, parents need to know how to ensure that their child gets adequate unstructured play. This may be easier to accomplish with some children than others. Some children constantly want to involve their parents in their play. This is also important for development; parents should soak up those moments.However, parents may need to set aside a specific time of day for children to play independently or with other children without an adult. One way to encourage this is to have age-appropriate toys and resources available. Often, toys with more simplistic designs allow kids to simulate real-life scenarios and apply the most creativity.
Good examples of these are play kitchens, blocks, and jungle gyms. It is important to note that children don't need excessive toys; too many options can overwhelm them.Designate or allow daily time for your child or children to play with their age-appropriate toys with minimal adult interference. If there are multiple children and you overhear a disagreement, don't jump to intervene. They must learn the skills to work through differences together, which will build their relationships and confidence. If your child isn't interested in playing independently, try rotating the available toys or switching up the settings.
The Ultimate Playground
Maybe your child isn't feeling inspired by their blocks or their playroom. What could be more inspiring for play than the beautiful Miami sunshine? After being in daycare or school all day, stepping out into the fresh sunshine of Miami can do wonders.Outside without specific assignments, kids have infinite opportunities to play and use their imagination. Kids inclined to say they're bored will quickly notice something they can observe, climb, or do. Just soaking in the sun rays, with proper skin protection, offers benefits to both mental and physical health. Furthermore, moving their bodies and exercising their imagination will improve their confidence and motor skills. The climate here provides a perfect blank canvas for young minds.Knowing the different types of play and their importance for your child's development can seem overwhelming. Especially when it is only one of many things parents have to keep up with to ensure they are doing all they can for their kids. Your children's primary care doctor can be an excellent resource. At Ahimsa MD, we acknowledge your concerns and focus on holistically meeting your child's needs. We are eager to discuss how play contributes to health and development and any other concerns you may have.
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