There was a time when kids played outside

There was a time when kids played outside, often barefoot, until their moms called them in for dinner. When playing baseball meant rounding up a few kids in the neighborhood, forming teams and delegating a leader to enforce the rules. A time when falling into bed in dirty clothes was OK because changing into clean pajamas seemed too exhausting after a play-packed day. Sadly, those days seem to be over.

Kids today are more likely to be enrolled in structured activities and summer enrichment programs than they are to spend endless hours outside with friends and family members. That’s a shame, really, because highly structured activities can take away a valuable piece of childhood: free play.

Improve social interaction skills. Both in school and at home, adults tend to intervene when children struggle to get along. We want to teach them to listen, respond appropriately and resolve the problem. While guiding children through the ups and downs of social interactions is important, children also need opportunities to practice these skills independently.

Strengthen family relationships. In a hurried world full of beeping gadgets and packed schedules , it can be difficult to find time to connect. When parents shut off their phones and sit down to play with their kids, they enter the secret worlds of their children. They learn about them, bond with them and help them work through their feelings. Family play opens the door to improved relationships and positive communication.

Develop emotional regulation. Tantrums are one of the most feared issues in parenting. Books and articles on eliminating tantrums abound for parents searching for ways to help kids stay calm. What parents need to recognize, though, is that tantrums can be triggered by stress and unhappiness. When kids are overtired, constantly on the go and lack time for unstructured play, they’re more likely to feel stress.

Here’s where play can help. Through free play, kids tap into their imaginations. They figure out what makes them happy. They stave off boredom. They set goals. They work through overwhelming emotions. They learn about themselves. They can’t do any of those things, however, if they don’t have the opportunity to get out and plan their own time.