elements of a full life
Combining ideas from Sigmund Freud and Jean Piaget, David Elkind views play as one of three necessary elements of a full life, the others being work and love. Read more
Free school meals
School meals are critical to child health. Free school meals for all may reduce childhood obesity, while easing financial and logistical burdens for families and schools. Read more
specialize in one sport
Children experience more injuries, stress and even burnout when they specialize in one sport. ACL tears are now seen in children ages 10, 11, and 12. Read more
play and learning
City planners are recognizing that play and learning are intertwined and turning public spaces into opportunities for active learning. Children benefit from a healthy balance of both. Read more
New Games Foundation
The New Games Foundation was an organization that hosted free community play events in parks where everyone was encouraged to "Play Hard. Play Fair. Nobody Hurt." They believed that physical play was vital for everyone, that no one should be left out of the activity, that little or no equipment is required, and that the rules of play should be "dirt simple and fun."
smartphones “re-wired” childhood
Introduced about 15 years ago, smartphones have “re-wired” childhood. This insightful article relates the many diverse ways that smartphones have affected children during the last 15 years. Read more
number of toys
Does the number of toys affect the amount of time a young child spends playing with each toy and the quality of play with each toy? Less is more when it comes to toys. Read more
play where adults not involved
Children need time to play where adults are not involved, not directing them, and not supervising, where the kids decide what they do and how they do it. Interestingly, children who were regularly taken to the park by their parents did not achieve the same positive results. Read more
children and nature movement
Children & Nature Network founders have released their report on global factors influencing the children and nature movement. A wide range of societal trends and factors influence the worldwide movement to connect children to the benefits of nature. Read more
intergenerational engagement
In recent years there’s been an increasing focus on the benefits of younger and older generations playing together, and environments such as playgrounds and parks are ideal spaces to foster this intergenerational engagement. Read more
