Nowadays, children aren’t playing as much as they should, but there are many positive benefits to going outside and enjoying a little free play. With today’s technology and increased emergence of technology-based play, fewer children are reaping the benefits of free outdoor play. Despite this, there are many reasons for outdoor play as well as many positive benefits regarding free play. To help a child become a more rounded individual, a parent should consider the importance of the following: the positive benefits of free play and the effects of digital technology in modern playing. But first, a little in the way of definitions because not all play is the same. There is free play, guided play, parallel play and so on and so forth along with “digital play,” which is commonly defined as a voluntary, energizing activity that involves the use of digital technologies such as video and computer games among others and, which are commonly criticized by many experts because of the known negative developmental effects on a child development.
What is free play? …show more content…
As stated by AAP, “Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.” These are all real-life traits that need to be learned from other children. As a parent, by allowing free play, you are allowing your children to learn how to share and when there is conflict they will also learn how to negotiate and work through those issues. Notably, these are the kind of benefits that can’t be taught at home. The bottom line is that free play, especially with other children and even parents at times is overall enjoyable and spontaneous and helps the child learn biosocial, psychosocial, and motor skills as well as to develop the cognitive thinking skills needed as an
What is free play? …show more content…
As stated by AAP, “Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.” These are all real-life traits that need to be learned from other children. As a parent, by allowing free play, you are allowing your children to learn how to share and when there is conflict they will also learn how to negotiate and work through those issues. Notably, these are the kind of benefits that can’t be taught at home. The bottom line is that free play, especially with other children and even parents at times is overall enjoyable and spontaneous and helps the child learn biosocial, psychosocial, and motor skills as well as to develop the cognitive thinking skills needed as an