Academic Studies and Play on a Collision Course ... and Play is Losing

Study Shows Pressure on Children Leaves Less Time for Play

Source

American Toy Institute, Inc.

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In a just released survey, parents at best, have mixed emotions about the role of play in their children's lives.

The overwhelming majority of parents (91%) believe that play is important to the overall well-being of their children. In fact, many (43%) said their own opportunities for play contributed to their success as adults. And almost half (47%) strongly believe the educational system places too much emphasis on grades and has become too competitive (44%).

Paradoxically, 72 percent of parents think it's very important for their children to start (academic) learning early and 66 percent strongly believe that it's important for their children to do well academically. Results also showed that over half (53%) believe their children must do well in school to have a successful life. And as for play in school, 54 percent believe there is already enough playtime in academic setting.

In interviews with groups of teachers, most said parents lacked understanding of the importance of play and what was actually happening in the classroom. This, they believe, has led to diminished opportunities for play, both in and out of school. Of particular concern to educators was the pressure from parents, policymakers, and school boards for increased academic competitiveness and the delivery of higher grades and test scores being a major factor in the de-emphasis of play in schools in recent years.

"This survey clearly demonstrates that play and academics are on a collision course and play is losing," said Dr. Michael Cohen, president of Applied Research & Consulting, whose company conducted the survey. "While parents believe in the importance of play they make decisions that sacrifice play in the hopes of academic success for their children. As a result parents may be denying their children the opportunity to achieve balance and happiness in years to come."

With these findings in hand, coupled with the recent media coverage on the pressure children are under to produce, the American Toy Institute, Inc. (ATI), a charitable and educational foundation, has committed to developing "The Power of Play," a five-year, nationwide public service campaign. The program is designed to create awareness about the importance of play and to encourage incorporating play into children's lives.

"Play is any joyful activity that has no clear-cut goal, that is free of anxiety, and done for its own sake," Stuart L. Brown, M.D. said, president of the Institute For Play, a non-profit organization whose mission is to tell the full story of play to world audiences. "There is a tremendous hunger in our culture for true play," Brown concluded.

"ATI's mandate has always been to promote the benefits of play for children," said Terri Bartlett, spokesperson for ATI. "Our society is in a time of rapid change, and our children may be unintended victims of overwhelming stress and rising expectations. The Power of Play program is designed to influence parents, as well as caretakers, educators and policymakers who impact children's lives, to give children permission to play."

The first phases of the program are underway. In a partnership effort between the Institute For Play and ATI, a three-part public television series is in production with projected airdates in 2000. Additionally, a public service advertising campaign is scheduled to air in late December/early January supporting The Power of Play. And, lastly, a grassroots outreach program to incorporate play in children's lives will be introduced in 2000.

The American Toy Institute was established in 1961 as the philanthropic arm of Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc. ATI's goal is to enhance the quality of children's lives through play to improve physical, emotional, and mental well being. The group also educates the general public about the positive aspects of safe and fun play for children.

A large majority of parents (75%) believe that play is important to children's development.

This belief proved strong in rural areas (85%) followed by urban (74%) and then suburban (71%).

Of those surveyed, 91 percent stated that play has a positive effect on children's overall well being

Other key aspects of childhood development positively impacted by play include:

• Imagination (90%)

• Self-confidence/self-esteem (90%)
• Creativity (89%)
• Problem solving (89%)
• Cooperation (89%)

The lowest ranking of the benefits of play were given to "overall success as an adult" ranking at (81%).

And, 87 percent of parents expressed belief that their opportunities for play as children have contributed to their success as adults.

Balance of Structured and Free Play

Nearly one in four parents (21%) believes children have less time for play than they did as a child.

And, parents reported that their children spend the right amount of time in organized sports (63%), involvement with organized arts (58%), playing indoors (69%) and outdoors (70%).

Yet, some parents recognize that their children's daily activity patterns need improvement. Almost one-third of all parents surveyed said that their children spend too little time engaged in reading, family time, and religious activities.

Role of Play in School

72 percent of parents say it is important for children to start learning early; 66 percent affirmed that it is important for children to do well academically and 53 percent believe it is important for their children to do well in school to have a successful life.

Eastern (50%) and Western (49%) regions of the country indicate stronger agreement that their own opportunity for play contributed to their own success as adults, followed by the Southern and Central areas, both at 36 percent. 52 percent of parents strongly support the concept that play should be an integral part of school curriculum -- The Western (63%) and Eastern (55%) regions of the country had the highest statistics with the Southern at 49 percent and Central at 43 percent.

And over half (56%) claim they would support a school program that incorporates play into the curriculum.

Almost half (47%) say that education places too much emphasis on grades and scoring and 44 percent say that education has become too competitive. And only 50 percent believe educators believe play is important.

But finally, 54 percent of parents believe that there is already enough playtime included in the curriculum.

Play Activities

Top activities children age 2-12 participate in outside of school:

• Watching television (93%)
• Watching videos (90%)
• At playground (85%)
• Exploring/nature (82%)
• Reading (79%)

Top activities parents say have replaced play:

• Video games (43%)
• Television (33%)
• Movies (16%)
• School/academic activities (10%)
• Organized sports (8%)

Top six ranked activities considered play by parents:

• With toys (85%)
• At playground (82%)
• With action figures and with friends (both at 81%)
• At friends' homes (80%)
• With stuffed animals/dolls (79%)

Bottom six ranked activities considered play by parents:

• Reading (25%)
• Using computer to access Internet (27%)
• Organized musical activities (29%)
• Watching television and participating in drama (both at 33%)
• Organized arts and crafts (37%)

This survey was conducted by Applied Research & Consulting, a quantitative telephone survey was conducted with a randomly selected sample of 400 parents nationwide.