As Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play and academic partner of PlayCore, says: “playing is much more than having fun, it is vital.”

And so it is.

Far beyond fun, playing is a crucial part of children’s quality of life, contributing significantly to their development.  More autonomy, companionship, solidarity, movement, and interaction are skills developed when playing, and besides that, especially while being outside, playing is essential for good health. According to Dr. Brown, “playing is a basic biological necessity for animals and humans’ survival throughout life.”

The best way to change this reality for your child is:

– Arranging a different playdate routine;

– Inviting school friends and cousins to participate in playdates;

– Setting rules regarding the usage of electronic devices at home – you don’t need to forbid them, just set a limit, so the children have time for other things;

– Setting up a routine for outdoors activities, i.e., out of the child’s comfort zone;

– Seeking solutions and tools that contribute to this movement: outdoors playing, quality of life, well-being.

Source: Playground and TED