Movement To Increase Children's Playtime Expanding To Address "Parental Attitudes."

The New York Times (1/6, Stout) reports that "for several years, studies and statistics have been mounting that suggest the culture of play in the United States is vanishing." Meanwhile, some "scientists, psychologists, educators and others...are part of the play movement say that most of the social and intellectual skills one needs to succeed in life and work are first developed through childhood play." These playtime advocates argue that children learn skills like self-control, problem-solving, negotiating, and creativity through play. While most "of the movement has focused on" restoring "recess and unstructured playtime to early childhood and elementary school curriculums," some "advocates are now starting to reach out to parents, recognizing that for the movement to succeed, parental attitudes must evolve as well."