5 Proven Benefits Of Play

""Play is disappearing," says Hirsh-Pasek, a developmental psychologist who is a professor at Temple University and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. By targeting doctors, she explains, the paper hopes to build on the success of a literacy initiative called Reach Out and Read. That program reaches nearly 5 million children annually by giving out children's books at doctor visits. "You have an opportunity there" to change behavior, she says."

"Prescribing play for kids? Really? It's a sign that "we're living in different times," comments Anthony DeBenedet, a doctor, and co-author of The Art of Roughhousing and the author of Playful Intelligence, who was not involved in the paper. But he calls the article "beautiful" in the way it marshals the hard evidence in favor of climbing trees and talking on banana phones."

"Play is, by definition, intrinsically motivated. People and many animals do it just because. But apparently parents and teachers these days need more of a nudge than that to make the space for play. So here are some of the research findings that appear in the paper. 1. Play is essential for healthy brain development. In order to grow and develop healthy connections, our brains need plenty of something called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF."

Unstructured, self-directed play in early childhood supports healthy brain development and fosters social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Play increases production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes neuronal growth and the formation of neural connections. Regular opportunities for climbing, roughhousing, pretend play, and physical games stimulate problem solving, language, creativity, and resilience. Pediatric clinicians can promote play during routine visits by recommending simple, everyday activities and by encouraging families to prioritize unstructured play. Play opportunities have declined, so active encouragement and practical guidance can help restore play's developmental benefits and improve long-term learning and well-being.

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