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Child’s Play Are parents taking the fun out of play? To structure, or not to structure. WRITTEN BY MARKWELL LYON, ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAMES GRASDAL
PLAY—IT’S ONE OF the best things about being a kid.
Whether indoors or outdoors, alone or with friends, playtime is an important part of a young child’s day. And it’s not just fun and games: children develop through play, building physical and mental skills and learning to interact with others. But is it ideal for children to run free all day, so to speak, or should parents and adults aim to instill more structure into childhood activities? While both approaches have benefits, the answer ultimately lies in how well parents know their children, and what works best for them. 6 T8Nmagazine.com
