The changing culture of play

Abstract

The culture of children's play changed at unprecedented rates during the past half-century. The causes are multiple and linked to changes in technology, family, and schooling. Excessive cyber play and parental concerns for safety confine children to sedentary indoor activity; controversial school testing and curricula repress recess and physical activity; extreme poverty restricts resources and opportunities commonly available to affluent families. The consequence of such changes in children's play include deficits in social, physical, cognitive, and emotional health, fitness, and wellbeing. The international community of scholars, foundations, professional organizations and governments are searching for and finding means to reverse these patterns, resulting in a play movement of unprecedented scope and vitality.