What if we've been underestimating the power of play? Teacher Andrea Camp has been digging into the latest research and is excited to share some surprising findings that will change how you view your child's playtime.

Play brings the benefits of:

• Concentration
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Connectivity

Resources used:

• Camp, Andrea. The Importance of Unstructured Play. Personal Interview. 9 Sept. 2025.
• ‌Powers, Richard. Playground: A Novel. W. W. Norton & Company, 24 Sept. 2024. This fictional book explores the idea that play is more than just fun and games. It's an essential part of survival, creativity, and healing. It suggests we move away from games we "win" and instead embrace games of connection and imagination to navigate today's challenges. From childhood games to the complex systems of nature, this story argues that play is a vital force that helps us evolve and imagine a better future.

Articles:

• https://hechingerreport.org/want-resilient-and-well-adjusted-kids-let-them-play/
• https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play
• https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/23/05/embracing-learning-through-play
• https://www.joincoralcare.com/blog/stages-of-play-development-solitary-play-parallel-play-and-associative-play
• https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/kid-confidential-teaching-parents-the-power-of-play/full/
• https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/my-baby-can-play-how-productive-play-promotes-literacy/full/