An article on the World Economic Forum website shows how much play has disappeared from children’s lives.
In an Edelman Intelligence survey of 12,710 parents in 10 countries, 56% said their children play outdoors for less than an hour a day. That is less than inmates in maximum-security prisons get. One in ten children never plays outdoors, and two-thirds of parents say their children play less than they did as children.
The article also describes what children do instead of playing.
Smartphones, video games and tablets play a big part. Just as important is the overload of organised activities, such as football, violin lessons or dance. These are valuable activities, but they aren’t free play. Parents know that children need learning, sport and music to succeed, so that’s where they put their focus. Play then becomes something unimportant that can be dropped.
Read the full article:
If you want your kid to get a good job, let them play more – Jenny Anderson, World Economic Forum