The Atlantic

Playtime May Bolster Kids’ Mental Health

But as parents and schools emphasize academics, it’s dwindling.
Source: Julio Cortez / AP

“Play has become a four-letter word.”

So says , a psychologist at Temple University and one of the authors of a new paper about the importance of play in children’s lives. The , published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends that pediatricians write a “prescription for play” at doctor visits in the first two years of life. Years of research have shown that play is an important part of a child’s development, assisting in cognition, memory, social skills, and, to a lesser extent,

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