The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds is a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, intended as guidance for the clinician in rendering pediatric care.  It is written by Kenneth R. Gindberg, MD, MSEd and the Committee on Communications and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. 

Abstract 
Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social & emotional well-being of children and youth.  Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.  Despite the benefits derived from play for both children and parents, time for free play has been markedly reduced for some children.  This report addresses a variety of factors that have reduced play, including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure and increased attention to academics and enrichment activities at the expense of recess or free child-centered play.  This report offers guidlelines on how pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school systems and communities consider how best to ensure that play is protected as they seek the balance in children’s lives to create the optimal developmental milieu.

The full report is linked below:

importanceofplay.pdf

The brain does not develop at an even pace.  It tends to develop in waves with different parts of the brain developing at different times.  This development takes place, however, in a predictable sequence.  Neuroscientists have shown that the brain is affected by environmental conditions throughout the entire process of development, even prior to birth.  This includes the type of nourishment, care, surroundings and stimulation the feotus or infant receives.  This article gives a fascinating summary of the development which takes place in your child’s brain a) before birth, b) during their infancy and c) beyond their third year.

(more…)