Having never had a baby of my own, I can't say that I know a lot about childhood development, but a recently viewed documentary opened my eyes to the importance of the simple and natural act of playing.
The type of play the documentary referred to was the kind that did not involve adult interference; the way that kids play when they are without supervision, left to their own devices, so to speak.
Without the watchful eyes of adults on them children are free to make their own decisions, good or bad, and are forced to make judgement calls, right or wrong. Apparently it is this freedom that allows a child to develop the ability to solve problems and develop socially among their peers. And it is a natural and vital component that is missing from so many modern children's lives.
Take an example of two lion cubs on the African Serengeti, as natural and wild as it can get. These cubs roll about, play fighting all day long. As they roughhouse, one cub gets carried away and bites the other's ear too hard. The once bitten, twice shy cub retaliates, scratching the other on the nose. Bleeding, the cub learns not to bite so hard next time; the other learns to be more cautious around the rougher cub.
Decisions are made by the cubs based on their strength, confidence and abilities and those of their pretend rival. The roles of dominance and submission are discovered and boundaries are defined.
Now imagine these two lion cubs to be two little boys, wrestling or kung-fu fighting or whatever type of roughhousing they like to do. They learn the same basic lessons about themselves and their peers as the cubs. Although the concept of organized sport remains significant, it may not be as vital to the building of our character as these first and more primitive encounters.
The experts in the documentary contended that too much organized playtime for children is ruining their ability to make their own decisions. Their confidence shattered by overprotective parents; they no longer have to think for themselves. Their parents define them by choosing their activities and their peers, leaving all chance of risk to good ol' mom and dad.
The documentary ended on a sour note, showing a group of young children who had to take a stress management class to deal with their busy schedules - one more hour of managed time.
Free time to play is free time to grow; it builds confidence, capability, imagination and creativity. So let the kids fool around, they may be learning more than you think!
