Overview
Play Times is published monthly with three sections in each issue: (1) a “Play Note” summarizing current scientific knowledge about a specific aspect of play, this month we cover children’s play (2) profile of a play scientist or expert, this month Joe Frost and (3) news items with links to current issues of four play journals. Here are prior issues of Play Times.

Play Note: The Importance of Play for Children
Free Play is vital for children. Without it kids can suffer increased depression and anxiety. Children engage in play freely and joyfully without worrying about the “right way” to do things. It is “childhood’s work” and it can help kids in problem solving, cooperation, self-regulation, and creativity. This month’s Play Note defines and categorizes Free Play for children and addresses its many benefits.

Profile: Joe Frost
Dr. Joseph L. Frost (1933-2020) studied children’s play and development at the University of Texas at Austin for 34 years, leading the Play and Play Environments Research Project. His work influenced early childhood education and playground design. He wrote books like Children’s Play and Playgrounds (1979) and The Developmental Benefits of Playgrounds (2004). The Frost Play Research Collection at the University of the Incarnate Word holds over 1,700 items related to children’s play.

Play News and Updates
A Youth Sports Program Replaced Some Drill Time with Free Play
When a youth sports league with over 2,000 soccer and baseball players began opening practice sessions with 15 minutes of free play, remarkable changes occurred. Kids who once walked to practice now eagerly run. Free play brought out their best qualities: instead of relying on coaches for every solution, they began resolving issues among themselves. When disagreements arise, they engage in discussion and compromise. As Dr. Peter Gray notes, “when adults are running the show, adults are ‘the adults’ and the kids are ‘kids’. But when adults step back, the KIDS are the adults –the kids step up.” The free play provides a transformative experience that prepares them for becoming adults! Source
Small Change in Mindset Can Reduce Overparenting
A recently published Yale study revealed a minor parental mindset adjustment that can significantly reduce overparenting, fostering happier and more independent children. Excessive adult presence prevents children from discovering their capabilities, often leading to increased anxiety and strained parent-child relationships. The Yale study suggests that parents should view their children’s everyday challenges not as problems to solve but as valuable learning opportunities. This simple shift in perspective led to a 50% reduction in unnecessary parental interference. By allowing children to navigate tasks independently, parents enable them to acquire essential life skills and build confidence. Senior author Julia Leonard advises parents, teachers, and mentors to resist the urge to complete tasks for children, emphasizing the educational benefits of letting them try on their own. In essence, embracing this mindset can help parents avoid the pitfalls of overparenting, promoting the development of more self-reliant and contented children. Source
A Conference to Make Education More Playful
Playposium is a gathering of people interested in transforming education through the power of playful pedagogy. Attending a Playposium is an investment in learning new skills, challenging old ideas and contributing to a better understanding of what play is and how it can change lives. Playposium 2024 was a rousing success! Playposium 2025 (June 23-26) will be even better. If you are a Play Practitioner, consider proposing a session.
What Adults Forget About Friendship
We recently came across a terrific article in the Atlantic that conveys how much play / playfulness are central to the vitality and depth of youthful friendships. One person quoted in the article describes his ‘scheduled’ meetings to ‘catch up’ with adult friends as feeling stale compared to the depth of feelings experienced in his youthful gatherings. The Atlantic article provides some good pointers for renewing that playfulness in adult friendships. If you are blocked from seeing that article, try this one in Psychology Today.
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Current Issues of Play Journals
- American Journal of Play – 2024 Issues 2&3
- International Journal of Play – 2024 Issue 4
- Int’l Journal of Play Therapy – 2024 Issue 4
- Journal of Play in Adulthood – 2024 Issue 1
- International Journal of Playwork Pract