C&NN Home | About Us | (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | Sponsors | Partners
RSS Feed GO Children & Nature Network Archive About C&NN Who We Are Join the Network

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says free and unstructured play is healthy and essential

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS – December 31, 2006
By Kenneth R. Ginsburg MD, MS Ed., the Committee on Communications and Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health

CLINICAL REPORT Guidance for the Clinician in Rendering Pediatric Care The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds ABSTRACT. Play is essential to development as it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children. Despite the benefits derived from play for both children and parents, time for free play has been markedly reduced for some children. This report addresses a variety of factors that have reduced play, including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure,…
ShareThis

Top Stories

Nature Essential for the Brain, Scientists Report

For the first time in history, the majority of the world’s people live in cities.… [+]

American Public Health Association features a front page article on the movement

The October Issue of The Nation’s Health, The official newspaper of the American Public Health… [+]

How children lost the right to roam in four generations

Report warns that the mental health of 21st-century children is at risk because they are… [+]

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says free and unstructured play is healthy and essential

This report offers guidelines on how pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school… [+] [PDF]

Kids Picking TV Over Trees

The Nature Conservancy-funded study reveals more evidence of a growing trend; children spending more time… [+]

We’re mapping the Children & Nature movement.

NEW - Nature Clubs for Families Tool Kit

image
Download the Tool Kit [>]
The Tool Kit includes a Quick Start Guide with simple instructions on how to start a local Nature Club for Families.

C&NN Publications

As part of our ongoing efforts to build the movement, the Children & Nature Network has published two new resources for leaders, organizers, and participants at the local, national, and international levels:
Children and Nature 2009: A Report on the Movement to Reconnect Children to the Natural World
[>] Download PDF [1.1MB]
C&NN Community Action Guide: Building the Children & Nature Movement from the Ground Up
[>] Download PDF [1.4MB]