Understanding Child Development

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Research finds U.S. children are engaging in less free play than previously.

Play is essential for children's social, emotional, and neurological development.

Researchers suggest parents prioritize various types of play.

When was the last time you saw a child completely absorbed in play—building a block tower, chasing friends through a backyard, or creating imaginary worlds with whatever materials they could find? These moments aren't just charming childhood memories in the making; they’re essential building blocks for healthy development, according to a large body of research.

The evidence on the importance of play is so strong that the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a prescription for parents: Play with your child every day.

But in an era of packed schedules, screen time, and intense focus on school readiness, many children are playing less than in previous generations. Compared to a generation ago, children are spending significantly more time with technology devices and less time exploring and taking risks—activities that allow children to learn and become independent. There has been a significant decline in play, especially outdoors.

Kim Kopko, director of the Parenting Project: Healthy Children, Families & Communities at Cornell’s Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, has spent years studying how parents think about play and learning. Her research reveals a troubling disconnect between what children need and........

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