According to the AAP, there is a focus on shortening playtime to make time for more hours in the classroom, but this is not a good idea and may even backfire. According to the authors of a statement released by the AAP ‘A growing trend toward reallocating time in school to accentuate the more academic subjects has put this important facet of a child’s school day at risk.’ This statement was published in the January issue of the journal Paediatrics, and is based on multiple studies showing recess in school is ‘crucial’.
Extensive studies show that playing with his peers gives your child a sense of belonging that could lead to positive feelings of self-worth. In addition, in a review of the benefits of recess, Kara Tice of the Metropolitan State College of Denver notes studies that support increased attention and improvements in memory found in for both nursery children and older children.
The AAP have outlined 5 reasons why your child’s wellbeing is supported by playtime. Firstly, it helps your child develop her physical skills, which is important for her health. Next, the interaction she has with others fosters better social skills, and, thirdly, this makes her more morally conscious. Also, play, or even just having free time to be quiet can boost her intellectual capacity and, finally, she develops better behaviour in the classroom.
Therefore, whether indoors or outside, unstructured play time helps boost cognitive performance and increases memory, and lowers the rates of childhood obesity as children have the time and space they need to learn which physical activities they enjoy and what they excel at. The AAP even warn that threatening to take away playtime to punish naughty kids could interfere with their development.