The Importance of Free Play for Kids

Few things are more associated with childhood than playtime, but some kids aren't getting enough free playtime.🤹‍♀️
These are times when kids need to use their imagination or enjoy physical activity rather than being coached on a team or watching electronic entertainment, and there are many benefits to this type of simple, unstructured play.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) outlined a host of payoffs from free play, including that it:
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1. Allows kids to use their creativity and develop their imagination, dexterity, and other strengths
2. Encourages kids to interact with the world around them.
3. Helps kids conquer their fears and build their confidence.
4. Teaches kids to work in groups so they learn to share and resolve conflicts.
5. Helps kids practice decision-making skills.
6. Helps children adjust to school and enhance their learning readiness, learning behavior, and problem-solving skills.
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🥳Examples of Free Play
True free play involves any kind of unstructured activity that encourages children to use their imagination, such as playing with blocks, dolls, and toy cars. It wouldn't include playing with most electronic toys.
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More examples of free play include:
Playing on playground equipment, climbing, swinging, running around, drawing, coloring, painting, cutting, and gluing with art supplies, playing make-believe and dress-up, reading and looking at books they enjoy, not as part of homework or study.
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In a time when so many parents deal with hectic schedules, it's good to remember the importance of a little free time.
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😍Check out our SWIRLLINE Toys box with funny small toys for free play!