All work and no play really does make for dull children, according to a new report that defends spontaneous recreation in the face of an increased focus on academics.

Challenges to unscheduled play time include changes in family structure, an increasingly competitive university admissions process, and education policies that have led to reduced time for recess and physical education in schools, said the report by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Unstructured play helps with child development, pediatricians say.
(CBC)

Studies show unstructured play helps children to develop socially, emotionally and academically by:

• Fostering creativity and imagination.
• Helping children develop problem-solving skills through trial and error.
• Showing children how to work with others their age, including those they may not be getting along with.

"True toys" such as balls, paper, pencils, dolls and blocks that encourage children to use their imagination are best, the academy suggests.

Play also helps children learn at school, said the lead author of the report, Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, a pediatrician at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"From cognitive psychology, we know that as you learn something, it's hard to go from one academic subject to another to another, unless you have something totally different in between," Ginsburg told CBC News on Tuesday. "Gym and recess, those are reboots that allow you to learn more."

Joyful time

Unstructured doesn't mean parents have to stay away with their children all the time, Ginsburg said. But by watching a four-year-old play, parents may find out the child's innermost feelings and fantasies, which often cannot be expressed in words.

"Perhaps above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood," said the report, which was released Monday at the academy's annual meeting in Atlanta.

All children need some down-time, but the amount varies, and there is no one-size-fits-all prescription.

The key is to look at children and see how they're coping with the activities in their lives, Ginsburg suggested.

It's terrific if a child is "in heaven" when switching from one activity to another, but if they show signs of anxiety or stress — such as belly pain or trouble eating or sleeping — there is reason to worry, he said.

The academy offers tips on reducing stress for children and teens.