The goal of the No Child Left Behind Act was to encourage schools to improve on their standards of learning. This resulted in a number of schools cutting out playtime in their schedule and replacing it with class work. Psychiatrists however, say that playtime is essential for proper development of a child emotionally, socially, physically and academically. There are crucial benefits to allowing children to participate in play activities. Thus, both parents and teachers should ensure that children have adequate time to play.
Development of Social Skills
During playtime, children have an opportunity to develop their social skills, which are essential for their progress into teenage years and adulthood. Children interact and make friendships during playtime activities, such as ball games, recitals and plays. In addition, children interact with others from different backgrounds in terms of social status, religion and culture.
Emotional Development
Children who participate in playtime activities develop better emotionally. Recess time gives a child an opportunity to relive her stress through games and interactions and reduce the chances of anxiety. Playtime also reduces the chance of the child developing negative habits, such as bad temperaments and biting of nails as a way to deal with stress or anxiety.
Physical Development
Playtime enables children to improve their physical capabilities. Additionally, when children engage in games such as skipping, kickball and running, they improve their health and reduce the chances of getting diseases such as high blood pressure or unhealthy conditions such as obesity. Computer and video games should be discouraged as they do not assist children in exercising their body or mind. Extended periods of such activities may result in cardiac-related health issues as well as eye problems.
Brain Development
When children engage in games such as singing songs, rhymes or telling stories, they develop their learning and creative capabilities. Additionally, when doing puzzles or building block towers, they learn how to use their brain to figure out a structure of a certain object. In this way, children develop their cognitive skills. Exercise is also essential in brain development as it improves blood circulation and nourishes their brain.
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