Go Play!: The Importance of Unstructured Play in the Digital Age - Paperback

by Bob Hermes (Author)

This book explores the many ways in which play aids in mental, physical and spiritual development, and facilitates continued growth and joy throughout our lives. It will also discuss the changes around child's play that have occurred over the past several decades. These changes will be discussed with regard to the potentially harmful shift from "free" play to overregulated activities and the reliance on videogames and digital technology. These days, we have plenty of "toys" but very little "play." True play is best experienced when it is free, spontaneous, joyful and done in parks, playgrounds and open areas that allow for carefree activities. Throughout the book, we discuss the decline of free play in our society and the damaging effects it has on our youth. There are several reasons for this, including a greater reliance on technology and shorter recess periods at school. Underscoring this phenomenon is a nearly obsessive "hands-on" approach on the part of parents. While so-called "helicopter parenting" has gained a lot of media attention in recent years, the term was actually coined by Dr. Haim Ginott in his 1969 book "Parents & Teenagers." Since then, over-parenting has become much more common, in part because both parents now work outside the home. They feel guilty for not spending more time with their children and over-compensate by micromanaging every aspect of their youngster's life. Unfortunately, these well-meaning mothers and fathers are rendering their children incapable of navigating life. By the time they get to college, those raised by helicopter parents are often underperforming in their studies. Later on, these problems often extend to career and even affect their social skills and physical fitness. Organic, unfettered play teaches children to appreciate and follow rules. It also helps them develop their problem-solving skills as they move from concrete to abstract thought. Finally, play is an excellent way for children to build social skills and confidence. It is through play that friendships are built. Friendships are the basis for all other relationships in life. Marriage, jobs, neighbors and parenting need a foundation of friendship and respect for others to succeed. Unfortunately, natural, spontaneous play has vastly decreased over the past several years. This generation has been called "Gen D," a.k.a., ADD generation. According to LS: N Global, "They can't imagine a world without computers, mobile phones and the Internet. Usually when you think of ADD, your mind goes to Attention Deficit Disorder. But this nickname refers to how consumer-driven media fosters ADD types of behaviors. One example is "frazzing," a word for the frenzied multi-tasking of jumping from one device to another. This overwhelms the brain and short-circuits concentration. Whereas kids used to spend the daylight hours riding their bikes and playing tag, they now sit hunched over computers, their hands clenching a mouse or controller. Go Play seeks to remind parents, teachers, and other caregivers of the many benefits of natural play and the steps they can take introduce (or reintroduce) it into their kids' lives. Hopefully, it will also encourage adults to evaluate their own schedules - however busy they may be - and incorporate time for play whenever possible. You don't have to be a kid to exhibit ADD tendencies. We could all use a break from screen time, especially to help us focus on the things that really matter.