5 Incredible Reasons Why Children Need Free Play

Do you have any recollections of your childhood? Mine is one that I vividly recall! My sister and I used to ride our bikes throughout the neighborhood, climb trees, and play in the backyard. I didn't have an iPad, video games, or any other technological item to which I was glued for hours at a time. My parents never told me what to do or interfered with my play at any time. Play that is unstructured, unplanned, and unscripted. Those are some of my favorite childhood recollections.

The play has gotten much more regimented in recent years. As parents, we schedule playdates, schedule activities, and classes, and even, in the spirit of helicopter parenting, intervene when our children are playing with other children, breaking up fights, interfering – not letting them figure things out for themselves and moving on.

However, an increasing number of specialists are emphasizing the importance of free play for children. And as parents, we need to improve our facilitation skills. We don't have to constantly entertain and play with our children!

In fact, free play, or play without interruption or rules from parents, is vital for the development of children's bodies and minds in a variety of ways.

5 Incredible Reasons Why Children Need Free Play

1. It alters the structure of the brain.

Sergio Pellis, Ph.D., a leading expert on the neuroscience of play, recently stated that play alters the structure of the developing brain by strengthening the connections between neurons (nerve cells) in the prefrontal cortex, the executive control center of the brain responsible for problem-solving, planning, and emotion regulation.

Children get to attempt diverse activities during play and see what happens since unstructured play entails trying out different techniques without any specific aims or major repercussions.

2. The neocortex as a whole is activated.

In a study on rats, Jaak Panksepp, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Washington, discovered that even a half-hour of play affected the activity of many different areas of the brain and activated the neocortex, also known as the area used in higher functions such as thinking, language, and spatial reasoning.

3. It teaches children how to interact positively with others.

Previously, specialists believed that play was just practiced for animals in order for them to become more effective hunters. Dr. Panksepp's research into rat play, on the other hand, led him to the conclusion that play has a completely different purpose: it teaches young animals how to interact with others in a pleasant way. In fact, he believes that play aids in the development of prosocial brains.

4. Children who play frequently in school perform better in school.

According to studies, children's social skills learned via play can help them become better students. In fact, research has indicated that a child's social abilities in third grade are the best predictor of academic performance in eighth grade. Dr. Pellis made an interesting observation: "Those with more recess tend to have superior academic achievement than countries with less recess."

5. It encourages children to move around.

Unstructured play frequently requires moving the entire body around in a world when we are all getting less and less physical activity. Physical activity improves the body's sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which helps youngsters maintain a healthy weight and prevents the development of Type 2 diabetes.

We should think about these 5 Reasons Why Free Play Is Important for Kids and just let our children play. Do you agree with me? How often do you let your children go around and play?

Please have a look at my most recent articles if you want to learn more about my blog. I am a mom blogger who enjoys sharing fun and healthy food ideas, family activities, natural treatments, parenting advice, and healthy living recommendations.

Read next: Husbands cause more stress in women than children