Are your kids overscheduled? Make playtime a priority

How much time do your kids spend being kids? A Mayo Clinic pediatrics specialist explains how playtime affects a child's development.

Daniel Broughton, M.D.

Between organized sports, swimming lessons, music lessons and all the other activities that fill your child's schedule, playtime may be all but forgotten. But unstructured playtime might be just as important for your child's development as academics and sports, according to a 2006 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here, Daniel Broughton, M.D., a pediatrics specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and co-author of the study, explains how playtime fosters a child's development.

Why is unstructured playtime so important for kids?

Unstructured playtime gives children the opportunity to learn, to reason, to make decisions and to use their imaginations. Playtime is also when kids learn to give and take. When an adult isn't dictating how something must be done, kids practice when to push and when to compromise on their own. Even if your child makes a poor choice, the natural consequences can provide a valuable lesson.

What are kids missing if they don't have enough playtime?

If too many activities are set up and orchestrated by adults, children lose opportunities to develop their creativity and interact with other children — activities that promote a lifetime of healthy development.

Consider the classic sandlot football game. A disagreement over a penalty or a play may break up the game. But at some point, the kids realize that it's better to work through the disagreement than lose the opportunity to play. The result is a life lesson in negotiation, cooperation and compromise.

How does playtime affect a child's academic readiness?

Playtime sets the stage for academic success by helping children learn how to learn. Placing too much emphasis on specific tasks or rigorous programs at the cost of regular opportunities to play misses the point. In the early years, a child's social and developmental skills can be more important than the specific knowledge he or she masters.

Does it make sense to schedule playtime?

It's important to make playtime a regular part of your child's day, both for the learning opportunities and the break from more intense activities. Sometimes it helps to schedule that unstructured time. But don't be too rigid about it. Focus on giving your child the chance to dream up an activity or invite a friend to play — not on enforcing free play for specific amounts of time every day.

How can parents promote imaginative play?

You can help your child make the most of playtime.

Read to your child. Reading introduces your child to new thoughts and new ideas. Soon, your child's imagination will take over.
Keep it simple. Find toys — or everyday objects — that let your child's imagination soar. A helicopter with all the bells and whistles can be only one thing. But building blocks or empty boxes can be a house, a spaceship or anything else your child imagines.
Let your child set the pace. Encourage your child to choose an activity or explore something of interest. Provide appropriate supervision, but don't lead or correct.
Invite a friend. Start with one-on-one play dates. Include more friends as your child gets older. Let the kids decide what to play.

Can passive activities, such as watching TV or playing video games, be a healthy part of a child's playtime?

It's important to limit your child's screen time. But as long as you're comfortable with what your child is watching or playing, some degree of unstructured time can certainly include TV or video games. You can even use TV as a tool or a springboard for discussions about choices, consequences and responsibility.

What's the best way to strike a balance between organized activities and unstructured playtime?

It's a balancing act based on good judgment and trial and error. Organized activities can provide variety in a child's day and open the door to new experiences. Rather than directing all of your child's activities, however, let your child set the pace. A natural system of checks and balances will likely emerge. If your child becomes irritable, withdrawn or resistant — or participation in certain activities comes at the expense of everything else — consider whether you're placing too much focus on structured activities or achievement.