The business of childhood is play, but today’s kids often don’t get enough of it. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, parents faced challenges finding adequate time to let their kids outdoors and active. The addition of shelter-in-place orders presented new complications.
Children need active play to benefit their physical, mental and emotional growth. What happens when they’re denied this opportunity? Here’s what can happen if you schedule every waking moment of your little one’s time with structured activities.
It Stunts Their Physical Growth
The American Heart Association recommends that children age two and older participate in a full hour of moderate-intensity physical activity each day. If your little one comes home from eight hours of sitting in class to veg in front of the television, their muscles don’t get the exercise they need to grow and develop.
Even if your child plays a sport, they might not work every muscle group. Take them to the park where they can climb, swing and jump to their heart’s content.
1. It Inhibits Emotional Development
How long can you focus on work without a break? Imagine that you had to go for eight hours without getting up for coffee or checking your phone. Chances are, you’d feel plenty resentful and start seeking alternate employment.
Your child feels the same way when you structure every moment of their day. Play provides a much-needed break from homework and sports practices. Without this unstructured time, kids don’t learn how to interact with others or regulate their emotions minus an outside force telling them what to do.
2. It Stifles Their Imagination
Have you ever wondered why children seem to enjoy the box more than the gift inside? Kids naturally explore their environments through their imaginations. They don’t only work their muscles through unstructured play
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