A new report released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a new prescription at well-child visits – a prescription for PLAY. This recommendation is based on new research that has provided more evidence on the critical importance of play, and its role in the healthy emotional and physical development of young children. The AAP recommends that pediatricians "advocate for the importance of all forms of play as well as for the role of play in the development of executive functioning, emotional intelligence and social skills." The report states that reintroducing play and playful learning to the daily lives of children is critical given the factors facing today’s youth including an increased focus on academic readiness, a decrease in “free-choice” and recess, and increased time with technology.
At the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, we believe play is an essential part of life. We are dedicated to free, open-ended play and celebrate these findings!