Studies Show Most Kids Need Less Structure to be Successful
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There are so many conflicting reports on what kids need it’s not funny. For every book that says kids need structured days, there is an equally convincing book that says they need to be free to express themselves in all parts of life. There are border schools, charter schools, military schools and Montessori schools. Each has its purpose but they all believe in their programs helping kids be the best they can be.
I don’t really know any parents that don’t want their kids to be successful. A recent report I read said that if you really wanted your kids to reach the optimal level of success they really needed more unstructured time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics study entitled The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds the experts believe as they said “play is essential development. They recommend kids get an hour a day to play outside.
As much as parents work to make sure their kids aren’t the one left behind in the “no child left behind initiatives” without balancing their kids’ lives they may be in fact creating a situation where their own kids will be farther behind than they could have imagined.
If you’re a person who needs convincing that the sports practice after the flute practice before the second and third language lessons need to be toned down a little, consider the benefits of allowing your kids to have a less regulated life:
- Motor skills are strengthened through things like letting kids play with rocks, sand or putty type material (as long as you supervise and they don’t eat it)
- Mind tools are often thought about when it comes to adults but if we allow our kids to be stimulated through play, imagine the creativity they’d exhibit. Allowing them to use their imagination can help them in things like the sciences and math. Imagine how many more cures for diseases we could find if people were able to think freely and outside of the box more. The same holds true for technology careers and more. Let them play charades, dress up or even make their own toys from things around the house.
- Problem solving skills are big business when companies have to call in professionals to work with senior leadership. With adequate conflict resolution skills companies would be far more productive, relationships would fare better and parenting would become a little easier for many. Games kids play together help then figure out how to make things work as they work through belief systems and how to be inclusive of friends. They also learn about how to utilize other’s strengths for different tasks so they can work together as a team.
- Other things that can be accomplished by allowing more unstructured time are helping kids learn about rules and boundaries, relaxation from stress through releasing pent up energy, wellness by not being sedentary, relationship management and self-management.
For some parents finding things to do that aren’t regulated can be touch, especially where we have to monitor kids outdoor time more than ever as well as what they do online.
When considering what you can do in free time, use things like household chores or projects as ways to bond and have fun without time limits. You can also find plenty of things to do outside of the house like playing hopscotch at the park or doing fast walking competitions to the local ice cream shop. Many communities have centers like the YWCA or Boys and Girls Clubs or even churches that offer activity nights as well.
Parenting is not perfect but when we are open to learning more and doing new things with our kids we serve them well. Help your kids learn about balanced lives through your examples of how they can have fun too and expand their minds.
Photo: Phalin Ooi/flickr