Doctors Should Prescribe More Play Time For Kids, Study Shows

BOSTON (CBS) – A new report is recommending kids do something critical for healthy development – play. The report ‘The Power of Play’ from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all pediatricians tell children that playing with parents and peers is a critical part of healthy development, fundamental for learning life skills and reducing stress. Dr. Michael Yogman of Mount Auburn Hospital authored the report which shows playtime has decreased significantly in the past 15 years, while screen time has increased. And about 30 percent of kindergarten children don’t go out for recess. “There is a whole section of our report that talks about the importance of play in preschool settings and how important it is to find a balance of playful learning with the more traditional curriculum,” Dr. Yogman told WBZ-TV. “Some people say play is a waste of time, well it’s not a waste of time.” Dr. Michael Yogman’s prescription for play. (WBZ-TV) Four-year-old Britton Taunton-Rigby just saw the doctor for her yearly checkup. After her exam, Yogman wrote her a prescription. It reads, “Play every day!” “Play is really brain-building because it has all kinds of effects on brain structure and function,” he said. “Executive function skills, learning to persist on a task, learning to solve problems, of learning to be flexible about how they are learning things.” Dr. Michael Yogman. (WBZ-TV) “It’s how we learn, not what we lear...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Healthwatch Syndicated Local American Academy Of Pediatrics Dr. Mallika Marshall Dr. Michael Yogman Source Type: news