Burdette HL, Whitaker RC: Resurrecting free play in young children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005; 159(1):46-50.
Fitness and fatness are frequent topics discussed in anticipatory pediatric care, and usually involve structured, programmed, limited activity to fit into the child's and family's daily schedule. But children may need active, unstructured, outdoor play to develop attention, affiliation, and affect. Until recently, play was a spontaneous activity in which children could occupy themselves with minimal adult supervision. They easily learned problem solving, appropriate social skills, organization, planning, and self-esteem from these unstructured times. Today, many children are kept busy in scheduled, supervised, structured activities during every moment of the day. The authors suggest promoting physical activity by encouraging a broader view of play-a daily time to have unstructured, creative, spontaneous, developmentally appropriate activities. There should be an emphasis on attention or cognitive activities, affiliation or social skills, and affect or emotional attributes. Free play requires a safe space and safe equipment-safe playgrounds, parks, yards-where children can experience the joy of movement, creativity, friendship, and selflearning.