Encouraging Free Play for Kids: A Path to Healthier Lifestyles

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time and space for kids to engage in free play is becoming increasingly difficult. Yet, the benefits of such unstructured play are numerous, aiding both physical and mental development. As highlighted by Jeff Francoeur, a former major league outfielder and youth sports podcaster, “The ability for kids to adapt and have fun is often undermined by structured sports and activities.”

The Decline of Pickup Games: A Lost Opportunity

Many of us recall childhood afternoons spent in make-believe scenarios, such as playing the final game of the World Series with friends. Unfortunately, today’s organized sports rarely leave room for this type of imaginative play. Francoeur emphasizes that “kids don’t play pickup games in the backyard anymore.”

The Problem: Structured Days and Less Physical Activity

According to the 2024 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, American kids scored a D- for overall physical activity. Only 20-28% meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. The lack of free play is a significant contributor, pushing teenagers away from organized sports.

Four Ways to Reintroduce Free Play

Considering the positive impacts free play can have, it’s important to find ways to reincorporate it into children’s lives:

1. Start a Holiday Tradition

• Organize a local game, like a “Turkey Bowl” touch football match during holidays.
• Encourage participation and keep the tradition alive, as it’s about fun and bonding, not competition.
• John Ratey, a Harvard psychiatrist, notes in his book “Spark,” that exercise acts as “Miracle-Grow for the brain,” enhancing social and cognitive functions.

These games can foster lasting memories and become topics of family discussions, strengthening bonds and improving health.

2. Incorporate Activity in Classrooms

Efforts to enhance physical activity shouldn’t stop at home. Teachers can play a pivotal role:

• Discuss with administrators the possibility of short physical activity breaks during school hours.
• Studies have shown that brief bursts of exercise improve focus and brain function, facilitating better learning outcomes.

By utilizing tools like GoNoodle, teachers can motivate students to move, reinforcing the mind-body connection.

3. Leverage Devices for Active Play

High screen time remains a hurdle, with children receiving a D- in “sedentary behavior” due to excessive screen exposure. Use these strategies to integrate devices and activity:

• Limit recreational screen time to less than two hours daily, as advised by international guidelines.
• Engage children with gyms or gaming that involves physical movement or track activity with step counters.

Creating a Family Media Plan can help set proper boundaries and foster a healthier lifestyle.

4. Encourage Dreams and Limit Self-Imposed Limits

Dreaming is essential. Francoeur shares insights from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who fulfilled his childhood fantasy by hitting a winning home run. Encourage kids to:

• Take time off from organized sports to focus on other activities or dream of achievements they wish to accomplish.
• Follow the AAP’s guidance of resting one day a week and taking periodic breaks throughout the year to prevent burnout.

Allow them to imagine freely and foster creativity, especially outside structured activities.

Conclusion

Reintroducing free play is not just about giving children a break from routine; it’s about providing them with opportunities to engage in healthy physical activity and foster creative thinking. With the right balance of guidance and freedom, we can create pathways for them to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

For more insights, check our expert’s opinions and ongoing tips on integrating healthy sports practices in daily life.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/11/28/kids-need-free-play-to-stay-healthy-heres-4-ways-to-make-it-happen/76602501007/