I’ve always been a big fan of encouraging my kids to play, especially outside during the summer. It seems like they’re better behaved, more tired by the end of the day, and generally happier when they’ve had a lot of playtime. But play has even more benefits, backed by scientific research!
When we talk about play, it’s essential to clarify what we mean. The Montessori Method refers to it as meaningful play, also known as free play. While guided activities, like art projects, can be enjoyable and beneficial, the best kind of play is unstructured free play—and that’s not just my opinion.
Free play is not only fun but crucial for children’s development, as research shows. A 2017 review by the Lego Foundation examined the impact of play on cognitive function. The findings revealed that when kids engage in joyful and meaningful play, they employ iterative thinking. This involves repeating a set of operations to reach a goal, enhancing their reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and focus skills.
If you’ve ever watched a kitten or puppy play, you know that humans aren’t the only ones who engage in play. While play is enjoyable and helps young ones socialize, it’s also an adaptation with a biological purpose. Juvenile play serves as a developmental tool, promoting healthy executive function. Though free play might not appear to teach anything concrete, it helps kids develop behaviors that support goals like negotiation and collaboration.
On the other hand, a lack of play can negatively impact these skills. Research indicated that rats deprived of juvenile play had impaired executive functions. Even though replicating such studies in humans involves ethical issues, researchers suspect similar effects would occur in children (and perhaps adults).
One reason play enhances cognitive function is by stimulating brain cell growth. Studies found that rats engaged in rough play exhibited increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), crucial for brain development.
In the U.S., kindergarten originally focused on learning through spontaneous play, but it has evolved to resemble what first grade used to be. A 2014 study showed kindergarten might have unrealistic expectations for young kids, as children spend more time on curriculum and less on playing.
Moreover, modern parents often feel uneasy letting their children out of their sight for fear of abduction, trafficking, or being seen as negligent. Consequently, we may be overprotecting our kids. Another factor limiting free play is the increase in organized activities like sports and other commitments. While valuable, these activities can be detrimental if they crowd out free play. Add screen time to the mix, and childhood looks very different from a generation or two ago.
Playing doesn’t just improve cognitive function and learning—its benefits extend further. Through play, cognitive skills develop alongside social and emotional growth. Play offers a holistic approach for kids to mature into functioning adults.
Kids gain social skills through play, like understanding others’ desires and emotions, collaborating, compromising, and sharing. They learn verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. The Lego review confirms that social interactions are key to healthy brain development, intertwining socialization with learning.
Playtime also boosts creativity, allowing kids to invent new worlds, construct spaceships, or become Olympians. An active imagination fosters problem-solving skills. The Lego review highlighted how iterative play strengthens pathways for alternative perspectives, flexible thinking, and creativity.
Spontaneous play typically involves physical activity, which helps combat rising juvenile obesity rates. Kids love to move, often incorporating exercise into play. Active play also enhances gross motor skills, coordination, and balance, contributing to better sleep and learning. Children who engage in physical activities tend to be more focused and have faster cognitive functions.
Even if we instinctively recognize play’s importance for our kids, modern life can get in the way. Here are some ways to incorporate more playtime:
Parents shouldn’t feel guilty for expecting their kids to entertain themselves. Free play is crucial and should be a daily priority for kids’ development. Aim for at least an hour of free play each day.
Consider selecting schools with more recess time or play-based preschools. Some schools realize the importance of recess and are incorporating more free play into their schedules. Homeschooling, with its flexibility, is another option.
If your child is overwhelmed with activities, rethink those commitments. While organized activities are beneficial, they shouldn’t replace free play. Assess how much time is devoted to scheduled activities versus unstructured play and see if that balance works for you.
Our family enjoys regular digital detox days, offering physical and emotional benefits. It encourages kids to find non-screen activities, often resulting in creative and fun ideas. Families can set specific screen time limits or designate screen-free days to create more opportunities for free play.
Allowing kids outside without constant supervision gives them more free play while you accomplish tasks indoors. Each family’s comfort level and each child’s age will determine how far they can roam. Trust your instincts, even if others disagree—you’re the parents, after all! Bonus: kids develop self-confidence and self-reliance.
While modern life poses challenges to providing kids with enough free play, it’s possible. A few schedule adjustments can ensure kids get the free play they need for healthy development, and the whole family might even join in the fun!
What does play look like in your home? Do you notice any changes in your kids when they get more or less free play?
