It can be easy to overlook just how important play time is to childhood, but it’s a vital part of how kids learn skills they need while developing their brains, bodies and social bonds.
When it comes to the health and well-being of her pediatric patients, Dr. Pilar Bradshaw says play is powerful medicine.
Types of toys
For starters, while there’s no shortage of choices in toys available for kids, some are much better than others when it comes to aiding child development.
“The best toys for our kids are the ones where they can be creative and where they can use their fine motor skills and their inquisitive nature to understand how the toy works,” Dr. Bradshaw says. “It’s great for them to have things they can manipulate and turn and twist and learn how to use their fingers better.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents consider the best types of toys and be aware that a lot of toys marketed as educational may not be. Instead of focusing on sensory stimulating lights and sounds, it can be good to get back to basics such as characters (dolls, animals, action figures) and objects (cars, utensils, buildings). The skills young children most need include impulse control, managing emotions and creative, flexible thinking.
Larger toys are great for more physical interactions, Dr. Bradshaw says. “It’s also good to have some toys that cause them to use their big muscles—toys that they can run with, things they can learn to bounce, things they can jump over,” she says. “It is not necessary to have battery-operated toys that make sounds or flashing lights, and definitely not necessary for the toy to have any form of screen.”
Too much screen time can in fact be detrimental, Dr. Bradshaw says. “We actually know that spending too much time on screens can create all kinds of challenges for kids’ brain development and behavior.”
While toys can certainly be helpful, parents may want to consider limiting the number of toys they give to their children. Having fewer toys around leads to deeper engagement with each of them, promoting creative thinking.
Pretend play
Engaging in pretend play, with or without toys, can really get young minds working and lets young children experiment with different social roles while learning important skills such as problem-solving and collaboration.
For example, imagine a young child is spending time in a pretend kitchen making lunch for a friend or is pretending to talk on a phone. “What your child is doing in that moment of pretend is actually practicing skills that they’re going to use later in life,” Dr. Bradshaw says. “They’re also building their brain connectivity and they’re learning how to do things with their eyes and their hands that will enhance their learning in other areas.”
When kids put themselves into fantasy situations and create their own stories, they’re more likely to learn to see things from multiple perspectives. Preschoolers can act out different professions or fantasy roles, while older kids can take on different roles in board games (get more age-by-age tips).
Playing outdoors
One of the best types of play, especially for older children, is to be outside in nature.
“Activities that cause kids to go outside and get physically active and get their heart rate up are great for their bones, muscles and heart health,” Dr. Bradshaw says. “Being outside, being outdoors, having sunshine and running around in nature is very calming for many kids.”
Outside play not only can get muscles moving, but also spurs the mind and kindles appreciation for what nature offers. It also offers a chance for kids and parents to bond. There are countless ideas for outdoors play, from kicking soccer balls and throwing frisbees to building nature sculptures or having a scavenger hunt.
Most importantly, make sure your kids get out and have some fun to benefit both their mental and physical health.