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How Play Has Changed and Changed Children
Do you share my happy, easy-going childhood memories of playing outside unsupervised? Riding my bike alone around the block? Of course, I wouldn’t think of having children do it now! However, the tightly scripted play that has replaced the free-wheeling fun of the past, has impacted children’s cognitive and emotional development.
Howard Chudacoff, a cultural historian at Brown University, states “all that time spent playing make-believe actually helped children develop a critical cognitive skill called executive function...” a part of it is the ability to self-regulate. Kids with good self-regulation are able to control their emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exert self-control and discipline. Good executive function is a better predictor of success in school than a child’s IQ, according to psychologist Elena Bodrova at the National Institute for Early Education Research. She compared the executive function test results of 3, 5 and 7 year olds from the 1940’s to children in 2001. The test measured how long a child could stand perfectly still. The children in 2001 performed at an age level more than 2 years lower than the same age groups in the 1940’s. This is very important since Researcher Laura Berk explains, “Self regulation predicts effective development in virtually every domain.”
So, what can we do?
Limit the use of TV and electronic games and let children play. If they say “there is nothing to do”, give them time to think and figure out something to do on their own. Let them come up with the answer.
Encourage pretending. Along with asking what happened in a story, ask what they would have like to have happened? Or, what do they think happened after “the end”. Ask them to tell you a story.
Every day, leave some unstructured time for the children.
Personally, I am hopeful. Every day at KidsPark, I see so many kids having fun with creative art and making up games. They are quick to make friends, develop a story line and act it out with all the associated drama and story twists and turns. I remember a teacher asking a child to join a group at the table for snack and the child replied, “I can’t – I’m a dog!” Better yet, I liked the child screaming from the playhouse – “I burnt the fries!” (Wonder what she had for dinner the night before…)
Kids have the aptitude for play. As adults, we need to set the stage.
Feedback
We hope our Newsletter interests you. Are there any changes or additions you would suggest?
Let us know at
Debbie@kidspark.com. Thanks for your input!
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Click to see even more of what is going-on at your
local center.
Carnival Day
Saturday, April 5
Join the fun at the KidsPark Carnival. We will have colorful spin art, silly face painting, games and plenty of prizes. Kids can enjoy special treats and snacks in our carnival café.
Disco Night
Friday, April 18
Come watch your KidsPark staff show off some of their favorite dance moves. We’ll provide the music and silly props. Dress in your colorful attire and get ready to show us what you got!
Bio Paint Discovery Day
Saturday, April 26
Come and explore the wonders of the exclusive Bio Color paint products. Join us for a colorful day as we experiment with different painting techniques through marbleizing, bubble painting, resist art and more.
Sports Day
Friday, May 2
Hike, fore, strike three! Whatever your enthusiasm for sports is, we will have it at KidsPark today. Join us all day for all-star crafts, test your speed with our relay races, and see how fast you can hit the buzzer during our sports trivia contest.
Make a Mother’s Day Gift
Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10
Visit KidsPark to make a special Mother’s Day gift. All materials and supplies will be provided. Mother’s Day gift-making will be offered throughout the day.
KidsPark Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 25
Rev up your engine for an exciting Indy 500 celebration. Join us all day for crazy car races, hot rod relays, arts and crafts-checkered flags, vanity plates and more.
Check your local center for dates and times.
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