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New study reveals the impact of play on child development

Posted at 2:01 PM, Aug 06, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-06 17:01:07-04

School’s out and summer days are all about play, but how can you help them get the most out of their play? New research from Boston Children’s Hospital, sponsored by Hasbro, offers scientific evidence that links certain types of play with positive developmental outcomes. This research project followed the same participants over multiple years, tracked their play, and social, cognitive, emotional and physical development – so for the first time ever, we have an understanding of what types of play are linked to positive outcomes in children’s development.

This multi-phase research initiative, called #MorePlayToday, lets us understand how different types of play affect the developmental outcomes of children. In this satellite interview, Dr. Michael Rich will discuss the initial findings of this study and offer parents a prescription for happy, school-ready kids.

Initial findings from the research include:

  • Board and card games were associated with school readiness and other positive outcomes
  • Active play was associated with less sadness
  • Play with adults in the home was associated with better memory
  • Letter and number play were linked to school readiness and other positive behaviors

For more information, including tips and play ideas, visit https://cmch.tv/moreplaytoday. The site also features videos with guidance from Dr. Rich on making the most of playtime.