The Importance of Play and Nature-Based Play Spaces for Children's Health and Development

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    It is very important for children to play and interact with other children. It can be structured or unstructured play. Structured play is organized by adults at a specific time and place, for example the school soccer field at three o'clock. Unstructured play is not planned by adults; it is directed by the children themselves. Play has been deemed so critical and fundamental to childhood that the right to play has been enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Outdoor play is encouraged because it promotes physical activity and reduces risk factors such as obesity. Active play involves physical activity that produces moderate to vigorous spurts of energy that can increase a child's heart rate. The duration and intensity of play changes as the child gets older. In a study done in Canada on children aged 7 to 11 years old, found that found children produced active messages and construed physically active play as superior to other types of play. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that physicians and health care professionals promote a wide variety of healthy activities. They also realize that children are more likely to comply if the activities are mostly unstructured and fun. Thoughtfully designed play spaces with natural elements are effective in prompting increased engagement of children. Play and nature cannot be substituted with other measures or materials, which is why it is very important that every child receives the proper amount of play time for his or her age. 


Herrington, S., & Brussoni, M. (2015, February 23). Beyond physical activity: The importance of play and nature-based play spaces for children's health and development [White paper]. UConn Database. Retrieved December 31, 2020, from https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.lib.uconn.edu/article/10.1007/s13679-015-0179-2

Comments

  1. Marie K.December 31, 2020 at 9:27 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Marie K.January 1, 2021 at 11:22 AM

      I'm glad that governments are acknowledging how important play is. I hope that it's importance becomes universally recognized. It'll be incredibly helpful to future generations.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2021 at 1:25 PM

    I never knew that the right to play has been enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child so I'm glad to have learned this. I do agree that it's important for every child to receive the proper amount of play time for their age. Hopefully more people come to learn the importance of play and why it contributes to childhood.

    ReplyDelete
  3. sophiakJanuary 1, 2021 at 6:14 PM

    I agree that play is a very important role in a child's life and that it should be acknowledged.

    ReplyDelete

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