A report recently published in the Lancet medical journal states, “several studies had found a clear link between intelligence and child’s play.” The report went on to state, “giving pre-school children toys to play with boosts their mental development even if they suffer from malnutrition.”
Although the study, which followed pre-school aged children to the age of 18, was conducted among children in poor countries, it still highlights an important point. The benefits of play, the social interaction, namely interaction with parents/caregivers, the emotional benefits and the simple ability to delight in what is considered a hallmark of childhood, is a necessity for children and the development of their brains.
I hit on this issue in a post called, Bring Back the Old Days When Kids Used to Go Outside and Play. What I really like about this report which was published last Friday, is that during this study, the researchers not only encouraged the parents of the children to play with them, but they had them make home made toys. We live in an age, more like a nation, where more and more companies and products boasting names such as Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, Baby-Know-It-All, etc., have saturated the market of infant products touting their products as the one that will help you help your child score a full ride to Harvard. And while I have personally seen some of these products and as a teacher have used some of these things with my students, would and do recommend them and can’t wait to use them when I have a child of my own, it all goes to show that pure and simple play, where a child can engage with another human and use his or her imagination can be all that is needed.
Think about generations of long ago. Think about the Baby Boomer generation. Heck, think of Einstein himself. Many brilliant, highly intelligent or just plain old smart people were products of generations that never had Baby Einstein or Brainy Baby DVD’s, DVD players for that matter or computers in their homes. I’m from a generation that can remember life without microwaves, VCRs, digital cameras, iPods, personal computers and all of the other gadgets that have come along as a result of technological advancement . . . I remember my mother making pop corn on the stove in one of those tin foil containers that had expanded as the corn kernels popped. Jiffy Pop was the name I do believe. And then me, my brother and a couple of cousins would sit and watch a movie shown on a projector. No joke!
Anyway, I’m digressing . . . back into childhood-oh no! (as I smile). The point of the study and my point as well, is that play time need not be all sophisticated for a child to reap the benefits. The stimulation from playing a simple game, with a simple toy with mom or dad or somebody may be all that is needed.
Do you agree? Weigh in please.
Sources: Reuters Doll (scary but simple): Google Images/APG Photo.org
January 6, 2007 at 2:51 pm |
You find that with kids quite often they have as much fun (if you let them) playing with the boxes the “educational or gadgety” toys came in.
My seven year old has spent hours making his christmas present “containers” into a play house in his room.
The expensive toys bought by well meaning friends and family meanwhile lie barely touched.
January 6, 2007 at 4:07 pm |
Of course I agree. I probably remember even further back than you. We had fun and we didn’t need a social director to do it.
January 7, 2007 at 3:01 pm |
There’s all the “making up your own rules” stuff. It has to force lots of intellectual growth.
January 8, 2007 at 5:30 pm |
Kids need to play. Grownups too, I think. And it’s kind of sad we’re in this whole “Work till you drop” mentality, with kids drilled endlessly in writing and math at the expense of history. Don’t even think about music or art.
People used to actually play music rather than just listen to it, and use live bands instead of talentless DJs (who ought to be tossed in prison right along with those guys who scored Beethoven to disco beats).
January 15, 2007 at 8:18 am |
Its great to have this idea supported by a leading journal! In my computer game-based learning work I keep reading things like “Games are super complex things, unlike the trivial games we played as kids” – and I find I want to defend simple and trivial games. Sure there are things that can be learned in complex digital games – but lets hear it for old-fashioned play!
The sad bit is that there are so many children deprived of toys and play…
January 15, 2007 at 8:21 am |
whoops.. the link to the report in the lancet is borked!
September 18, 2007 at 3:18 pm |
has anyone seen the new game copy pro software package they just came out with.
looks like it can copy ps2 games. has anyone used it before?
November 16, 2008 at 6:51 pm |
I agree that the complexity or expense of a toy is not necessary. Though I do believe that as children are old enough, it should challenge them to think. I find one of the largest skills lacking in even adults today is simple problem-solving skills. Perhaps if every child was given more challenging puzzles or a Rubix Cube, we would all be better problem-solvers.