The Power of Play

I wrote yesterday about a Sunday morning canoe outing with our two grandsons, ages three and five. It was lots of fun as we spotted various creatures including butterflies and waterbugs. In the afternoon we went to the Pirate Ship play structure, which was also fun. They both ran to their hearts content. 

We are delighted to be mobile and active enough to share in these moments even though we're in our mid-sixties. This weekend we're going on a camping trip as a family and hope we can do lots of swimming. 

We shared these "body, mind, and spirit" experiences with our three children when they were young, and now, God willing, we'll be able to do so with our grandchildren. We're convinced of the importance of being outside for people of all ages -- truly good for the soul.

 Here is an excerpt from the People magazine article about a new report called The Power of Play which addresses the importance of play. While this doesn't mention spiritual development, it is a part of a balanced life.
 
All work and no play is not what the doctor ordered.
Published Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a new clinical report titled “The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children” emphasizes the importance of play in children’s lives — so much so that the report authors are advising a literal prescription for it.
“We’re recommending that doctors write a prescription for play, because it’s so important,” said pediatrician Michael Yogman, MD, FAAP, who was one of five lead authors on the report. “Play with parents and peers is fundamentally important for developing a suite of 21st century skills, including social, emotional, language and cognitive skills, all needed by the next generation in an economically competitive world that requires collaboration and innovation.”
He added, “The benefits of play cannot really be overstated in terms of mitigating stress, improving academic skills and helping to build the safe, stable and nurturing relationships that buffer against toxic stress and build social-emotional resilience.”