Is it Just Play or Serious Business? Regina M. Milteer, MD, FAAP June 7, 2013

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. Plato Greek Philosopher BC

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” Fred Rogers American television personality

"It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them." Leo F. Buscaglia, Ph.D Professor University of Southern California

“Play fosters belonging and encourages cooperation.” Stuart Brown, MD Psychiatrist Harvard University Medical School

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” Kay Redfield Jamison Clinical Psychologist Johns Hopkins University

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Convention on the Rights of the Child General Assembly Resolution November 20, 1989 Article 31 States parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

AAP Mission Statement To attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Mission: To make the next generation of youth the most active and healthy. In October 2007, the NFL launched NFL PLAY 60, a national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Source:

Why is Play Serious Business?

Play has Physical Benefits Decreases sedentary time Helps to achieve recommended 60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity Impacts U.S. incidence of childhood obesity

Play has Social and Emotional Benefits Peer interaction skills Stress management skills Coping skills Self Control Perseverance Communication skills Negotiation Cooperation Sharing Problem solving

Play is integral to academics... It assures the school setting attends to social and emotional as well as cognitive development. It helps children adjust to the school setting and enhances learning readiness, learning behaviors, and problem-solving skills.

Play Builds Resilience Ability to overcome adversity Capacity to bounce back

Resilience is NOT a character trait. It is affected by supports and circumstances!!!

The 7 C’s of Resilience Confidence Competence Connection Character Contribution Coping Control

Play (and free unscheduled time) Affects Confidence Competence Connection Coping Control

Play allows children to... use creativity while developing imagination, dexterity, physical, cognitive and emotional strength. engage and interact in the world around them. create and explore a world they can master, conquer their fears, and practice adult roles.

Undirected play allows children to... work in groups share negotiate, to resolve conflicts learn self-advocacy skills practice decision making skills discover their own areas of interest build active, healthy bodies

Play offers parents an opportunity to… use an alternative setting to offer gentle, nurturing guidance. gain a fuller understanding of a less verbal child’s perspective.

What Happened to Play? No Child Left Behind The professional parent The non-professional parent Family demographics Screen time Safety College admission process

Play is essential to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well- being of children and youth. Play offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children

We are not against the forces that compete for children’s time. Rather, we seek the balance in children’s lives to create the optimal developmental milieu

Thank you