Play is Essential for Children

FOR DECADES, we have heard that play is essential in the lives of children. To support this theory, here are the findings of some researchers in the field of recreation and leisure.

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In the words of Richard Kraus, "Play satisfies important developmental needs in children - often helping to establish values and behavior patterns that will continue throughout a lifetime."(1) In addition, Susanna Millar points out, "Play provides a medium through which children can develop inner psychological strengths and methods of self-control."(2) Further, Lynn Barnett sums up values and outcomes of constructive forms of leisure activity for children. These include the demonstrated contribution of play to cognitive development including problem solving and creative thinking. Her conclusions are based on play's flexible or experimental nature, which helps the child's transition from concrete experiences to abstract thought processes.(3)

What does this information tell us as parents, as teachers, as school administrators, as church or community leaders, or as professionals in recreation and leisure? Perhaps the answer is, first and foremost, don't forget, or neglect, the children. It is important to keep this in mind when it comes to a number of things, including - but not limited to - the following.

• Offer encouragement for children to play
• Provide opportunities for children to play
• Find space for children to play
• Furnish supplies and/or equipment for children to play
• Look for organizations which offer play programs for children
• Support leaders of play programs for children

I think back to my own childhood years and remember very well how much I loved to play! Of course, I did not know then just how much play would help shape the rest of my life. But, I discovered in those early years that play was lots of fun - whether alone, with a friend, with a small group of playmates, or with a large group of other children. I also learned quickly that play was possible just about anywhere: at home, in the neighborhood, at my grandparents, at the park, at church, at a friend's house, in the back room of a grocery store owned by a playmate's dad, with my cousin, or in the gym or on the playground at school.

For me and my playmates, the type of play really didn't matter all that much. It could be organized with leaders and supervision, or it could be completely spontaneous and just among ourselves. It could be portraying "cowboys and Indians," building "radios'' out of boxes and old radio tubes, playing ball, or being "king of the mountain." Our imaginations and creativity ran rampant!

As I remember that special time of childhood, I thought then (and I still do) that I had the best group of playmates, classmates, and friends anywhere in the world! Following - in random order - are the names of a few of them: Allan Peck, Sammy Alldredge, Eleanor Hert, David Kaiser, Betty Jean Harlan, Terry Hackney, Paul Heisner, Carolyn Baldwin, Alfred Gates, Betty White, Kenny Imhoff, Karen Mills, Patsy Jones, Kenny Latham, Roberta Rohrbach, Charley Stock, and Dean Less. And, there were many more.

While it may be easy for us to accept the notion that recreation activities are very important for adolescents and adults, we may not attach the same importance when it comes to kids. But, quite the contrary is true! Play is essential for children. May we be more motivated than ever to make sure that our children experience ongoing and numerous opportunities to play. The rest of their lives depend on it.

------ (1) Richard Kraus, Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society (Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett, 1997): 93; (2) Susanna Millar, The Psychology of Play (Baltimore, MD: Penguin, 1968): 178-184; (3) Lynn Barnett, "Developmental Benefits of Play for Children," Journal of Leisure Research (Vol.22 No.2 1990): 138-153.