The Importance of PlayTime
India has the world’s largest child population at 400 million. It wouldn’t be wrong to assume the potential of young aspiring mind and imminent talented workforce lies in the future of our nation, provided our kids are guided and molded in the desired way. However, it might be too fast to jump into a conclusion without looking the other side of the coin. What recent statistics reveal is quite shocking. Out of the entire child population, more than 50% of children are malnourished. 50% of the children aged between 6 to 18 years, do not go to school. India is home to more than 12.6 million children who are forced to work in order to survive. These children are working as domestic help, on streets, in factories and farmlands silently suffering abuse. Even children, who belong to families above the poverty line or even India’s massive middle-class families, are not away from exploitation. Most parents start creating career pressure from a very tender age without realizing the long-term consequences on their child’s emotional and mental stability. The consequences are not hidden from us, as we see the increase in suicidal cases among children and teenagers. Adding to these problems, health issues among children is not far behind. While we face malnutrition on hand, we are also risking a rise in obesity in children on the other hand. Many children, particularly in urban areas, spend most of their time indoors, studying, or playing video games with no physical activities. Their diets also include a heavy dose of unhealthy, junk food, making these children susceptible to diseases like obesity, early diabetes, and other deadly diseases. All these factors directly deprive a child of the wonderful experience of childhood where he/she has to step outdoors and PLAY. We no doubt have a massive young population that needs to be addressed in a very different manner. Physical activities for a minimum of 30-45 minutes a day will help them drive away all these problems and will have an overall development, both Physically and Mentally. Studies have proven that playtime supports cognitive and social development that helps them through their lives. Play helps children hone their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and visual tracking. Playtime also means interacting with other children, not necessarily in their own age group. This fosters a sense of community, develops social skills, helps in creative thinking, problem-solving, decision making. All the skills that are important to succeed in today’s competitive world. Communication skills like listening, cooperation, negotiating are also not ones that are first learned in a boardroom. These are skills that are first developed in a playground and are non-replaceable assets in life. Playtime does not have to include expensive toys. It needs open air, perhaps a park, other children and space where children can run around, without adults constantly interfering in their thinking process. It should be every individual’s responsibility to ensure that all children get an opportunity to live and enjoy their childhood. Playing and other Outdoor Playground Equipment help Children fight stress (during examinations) and increases their learning and cognitive capacity.