C'mon, let's play!

I'm not talking about adult inspired, structured play (think camps, lessons and school sponsored activities here) but creative, imaginative, UNSTRUCTURED play time. Scientists say that "free play" is critical for building proper social, stress relief and cognitive building skills such as problem solving. Lack of unstructured play time can actually translate into socially maladjusted adults!

What's more, adults need play time too. It can be classified into three different categories--body play which involves active movement, object play i.e. using your hands to create something you enjoy, and social play i.e. joining others in social activity. In all of these kinds of play, it turns out purpose or end results are not important.

Child development expert, David Elkind, suggests that play "is a way in which children learn... and in the absence of play, children miss learning experiences... Play has to be reframed and seen not as an opposite to work but rather as a complement...."

So go ahead, wipe the dust off your guitar, make a mud pie, take a walk with your child--you'll both enjoy it!

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-serious-need-for-play