This post got shared in my news feed this morning – While I agree screen time is not great – the introduction and inferred definition of play are misleading! Especially in an age when playing with toys and stuff not academic or work related is often frowned on for slightly older children.
Children everywhere need to play – to develop and learn, to build relationship skills and friendships, to explore and challenge what their bodies and brains are capable of. Through play children discover how to navigate and negotiate with the world and others. Through play children discover themselves, learn self regulation and manage their worries – for some this includes making sense of trauma and loss.
Play does not mean in front of a screen – it means outdoors on grass – in trees and under bushes, in cardboard boxes and under sofas – making games with sticks and string hidden away around a corner, secretly changing the world, exploring space or feeding babies… all skills for life!