Is recess becoming obsolete? It shouldn't. Don't forget to play!

With increased focus on high standards, something important is being squeezed out of children's schedules, something their parents enjoyed in abundance, something that can help shape a child's future as much as a math or reading class.
That "something" is time for play.

Parents are demanding better academics in the classroom. In the rush to meet those demands, schools confuse strengthening their curriculum or raising standards with the need to add more class time or homework. As a result, play time is sacrificed, often with parents as unwitting accomplices.

Often it's not how much extra time a school spends on academics, but how time is spent that makes schools more effective. Instituting longer school days without raising the quality of important things like books and instruction only robs a child of much needed down-time.

There is even an Institute for Play! Its president, Stuart Brown, M.D., wants to help parents understand that play is as important in the life of a child as nutrition and sleep. "A whole series of developmental phenomena occur as the result of play. Children learn to trust, to believe in the safety of social interaction, to know their environment in an experiential way, to learn a sense of self, and the 'illusion of success' which in turn leads to optimism" Brown says.

When they are playing, kids learn how to make trade-offs. To play a game with his or her friends, a child needs to play by the rules. Every child on the playground knows that a game can only get so rough and tumble before someone objects and the game becomes no fun. "Children learn to give up things they want in order to get into the game," Brown noticed. "It's a tremendously important skill for being a part of a community - being able to share, being able to lose and take your lumps."

Look at your child's time at home. Is there enough playtime after school? On the weekends?

Look at your child's school. Is there enough recess time? That's when children learn to get along and share. That's when they learn what happens when you are nice or mean to someone.

So, what should parents do to ensure that play remains a part of childhood?

• Make sure there are at least two substantive recess periods where children can get out of the classroom. If not, find out from the principal why, and point out the benefits.
    
• When homework is out of the way each day, does your child have a chance to engage in a play activity she likes? (TV doesn't count!)

Just as importantly, however, parents should evaluate whether they are pushing their child into one activity after another with no down-time, particularly during the summer months. "There is huge pressure on parents and kids," says Brown "to fit a model of performance - to get into a good college, to gain technical skills. That tends to transcend how important play is." While summer camps can be enriching and relaxing, pressure to "perform" should be avoided.

So our advice: let them play! Trust us, they won't object.