I think sometimes, as parents, we get caught up in trying to be “perfect” and lose sight of what’s really important when it comes to raising our kids.  And we might just be making things a little more difficult than they need to be. 

After reading Dr. David Elkind’s book, The Power of Play, I reflected on some comforting points he made.    First of all, allowing your child time for unstructured play is important, even necessary to their healthy development.   So if works in your family for your child to spend more time at home, in unstructured activities, go for it.  Rest assured you’re doing the right thing.   No need to feel guilty about not signing them up for soccer just because everyone else in the neighborhood is doing it.

The book reminded me how creative kids are when left to their own resources.   Give them a stick and they can turn it into a magician’s wand, a magic pencil, a conductor’s baton, an imaginary gun, or any number of other things.  So ease up on yourself if you’re feeling guilty about not having the budget this Christmas for the hottest toys and gadgets.  Sometimes, the simpler the toy, the more your child can use their natural imagination and this is part of their learning process.  Give your child the freedom to use his imagination and give him time to play with his peers, because according to Dr. Elkind, unstructured play fosters creativity and helps develop the mental tools required for success in higher-level math and science. 

I’m looking forward to interviewing Dr. Elkind this Tuesday night and learning more about the importance of play.  In his book, The Power of Play, Dr Elkind asserts that over the past two decades children have lost twelve hours of free time a week, including eight hours of unstructured play and outdoor activities, while the amount of time children spend in organized sports has doubled.  He points out that more and more schools are eliminating creative and playful teaching practices as well as recess as curriculum becomes more test-driven. 

 There’s a strong argument for getting back to basics and letting kids be kids.   Please join us for a live conversation with Dr. David Elkind.  And bring your questions—we’ll take as many calls and questions as we have time for between 8:00 –9:00 EST on Tuesday Night. 

Hope to connect with you then!

Comments (48)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

boots_ugg said:

ugg boots Are you planning to buy a pair of ugg bailey button boots? As you know that Ugg boots are renowned for their quality and comfort, but these Ugg boots on sale is a blend of style, glamor, quality and comfort forever. Without thinking much you can use these ugg boots in the freezing, as they protect your feet dry and warm. Ugg Bailey will make your feet feel comfortable and do not get cold.

September 06, 2010 | url

look4wholesaler said:

nike air max shoes wholesale coach shoes [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]cheap gucci shoes [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]cheap jordan shoes [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]discount nike air max shoes [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]urban prada shoes [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]cheap ed hardy clothing [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]fashion coogi t shirts [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]wholesale polo jeans [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]brand louis vuitton shoes [url=http://www.look4wholesaler.com = http://www.look4wholesaler.com ]cheap ralph lauren clothing

August 29, 2010 | url

wholesale nfl jerseys said:

wholesale nfl jerseys http://www.jersey-fanatics.com http://www.prodirectjerseys.com

August 27, 2010 | url

Moncler said:

Moncler Moncler this brand is not only our love, also many Hollywood stars.Moncler foray into fashion fields, from the age of 8. At that time Europe's most famous is called a Paninari fashion followers, they will be the media of fashionable magnified indefinitely became trend-setters. And moncler jacket is one of the most expensive clothes is not an error. Especially the orange and yellow, these two at the time of the shops are very difficult to find.

August 18, 2010 | url

传奇私服 said:

http://www.aa-sf.com/ Can to carry forward 10 years experience. First: Do not stay in the heart of the comfort that the region can be forgiven. 传奇私服 传奇世界私服

August 17, 2010 | url

china handy said:

http://www.efox-shop.com efox-shop the best place to buy dual SIM dual standby phone. The efox-shop service is good, and the full range, such as Lesegerät chinesische handy kaufen china handy kaufen Großhandel Handy Grosshandel Handy Großhandel Handys chinesische handy TV Handy Chinesische Handys welcome to purchase http://www.efox-shop.com chinesische handy kaufen china handy tv handy Chinesische Handys

August 14, 2010 | url

supra shoes said:

supra shoes http://suprashoes365.com/ http://coachoutletfactory.com/

August 06, 2010 | url

传奇私服 said:

http://www.cc-sf.com/ More Workers Face Pay Cuts, Not Furloughs 传奇私服 Workplace Troubles Preceded Killing of 9 传奇私服

August 04, 2010 | url

china handy said:

http://www.efop-shop.com efox-shop the best place to buy dual SIM dual standby phone. The efox-shop service is good, and the full range, such as chinesische handy kaufen china handy kaufen Großhandel Handy Grosshandel Handy Großhandel Handys chinesische handy TV Handy Chinesische Handys welcome to purchase http://www.efox-shop.com chinesische handy kaufen china handy tv handy Chinesische Handys

July 30, 2010 | url

watchse replicas said:

replica watches As it recognized to all, special love for special man; I can also replica vulcain watches say, special monogram rubis replica handbags for your most terrific woman. Hope you appreciate my introduction. May well you like my favorite, my close companion.

July 30, 2010 | url

watchse replicas said:

replica watches The reason why could it be known as CHRI-CHRI? Lots of people would be curious about that. It unquestionably is due to the very fact CHRI-CHRI implies Christian Dior’replica versace watches definition of elegance, to demonstrate the very balance in between easy and special by means of details and attitude. Furthermore, CHRI-CHRI contains the very courageous style comes from Mr.

July 30, 2010 | url

传世私服 said:

http://www.sf9458.com V.A. Easing Rules for Users of Medical Marijuana 传世私服 Top Insurgents Escaped Prison Days After Iraq Took Over 传奇私服

July 24, 2010 | url

coach outlet online said:

http://www.gucci-outlet.us What is coach outlet online? Do you know coach bags outlet? zocy005 on 2010-7-13

July 13, 2010 | url

gucci bags said:

http://www.gucci-zone.com A young man and woman gucci outlet online in the park to date, girl, she wanted to break a way: female: have you heard of cuckoo call? M: haven't you heard. Woman: I give you learn, cloth (sound) - valley fart sounds of mouth (.). Learn a few gucci outlet times, it has also put. Female: hear? Male: [too big, can not hear clearly. .

June 30, 2010 | url

nfl jerseys said:

... nfl jerseys cheap nfl jerseys

June 30, 2010

gucci bags said:

http://www.gucci-zone.com Classic joke: our YanEr newly-married bridal bridegroom, said: "the future of our interest," "I", say "We". " The groom to bathe, gucci outletvery long, the bride asked: "what are you doing?" "Dear of, I gucci bags shave beard." we?

June 20, 2010 | url

coach handbags said:

http://www.coach-handbags-outlet.com Every girl love beautiful and fashion, especially the bags,coach handbags are coach outletso beautiful and designer that the girls who want one.wellcome to my web coach handbags ,we supplier all kinds of coach handbags and all colors for choice.

June 19, 2010 | url

私服传奇 said:

http://www.iqwsf.com Primaries Test Mood of Voters at Midterm 传奇私服 Rate of Oil Leak, Still Not Clear, Puts Doubt on BP 传奇sf

June 08, 2010 | url

moncler said:

http://www.monclerjacketsstore.com Have you ever loved someone so deeply? Have you ever looked into her eyes and seen her heart? Have you ever Moncler Store wished just to hold her, not utter a word, and find her in this silence? Have you ever thrilled at the possibility to lose her? Have you ever found the life with her? Have you noticed Moncler Light Jackets the sparkling stars with her? Have you ever felt utterly nothing without her? I have.-----------------《My Love》

June 07, 2010 | url

laptop batteries said:

http://www.laptopbatteries-shop.com Acer as07b41 Battery Acer aspire 5920 Battery

June 07, 2010 | url

laptop battery said:

http://www.adapterlist.com Acer batbl50l6 Battery Acer aspire 5100 series Battery

June 07, 2010 | url

mbt said:

http://www.cheap-mbt-shoes.net/ How to create a home business and bring Money. Identify your skills and resources. mbt shoes** This is the starting point for any small business, home, or in other ways. What can you do or sell? What you could sell this kind of service? If they are to maintain the income from regular employment, walking shoes** what kind of time can be complementary to the development of this business?

June 02, 2010 | url

coach factory outlet said:

www.coachoutletfactory.com She went through the best high tuition, but there are more expensive, and her two children to school, is impossible to coach outlet factory afford. So she chose one can avoid her tuition of average high school years, gold will shine, where she believed her.

May 31, 2010 | url

gucci bags said:

http://www.gucci-zone.com A lifeguard to visitors to protest: I notice you have three days, you gucci bags annot in urine wang swimming pool. Wang: everybody in the swimming pool. The lifeguard: yes! Sir, gucci outlet ut only if you stand on the board in the urine...

May 30, 2010 | url

传世私服 said:

http://www.sf9458.com Financial Overhaul Bill Poses Big Test for Lobbyists. 传奇世界私服** Last Wednesday, Representative David Scott, Democrat of Georgia, mingled with insurance and 传奇私服** financial executives and other supporters at a lunchtime fund-raiser in his honor at a chic Washington wine bar before rushing out to cast a House vote.

May 22, 2010 | url

air max said:

http://www.saleairmax.com would you like NBA games,there are many nba to sale. There are very good air max 97 and ed hardy clothing to choose.

May 21, 2010 | url

air jordan said:

www.offerairjordan.com goodgoodgood，hotshoes

May 21, 2010 | url

cheap lotro gold said:

cheap lotro gold LOTRO Gold Buy lotro gold Lotro golds Lord of the Rings Gold cheap lotro gold

May 21, 2010 | url

ed hardy clothing said:

http://www.ed-hardy.cc/ed-hardy-clothing.html When mortals are alive, they worry about death. When they're full, they worry about hunger. Theirs is the ed hardy clothing Great Uncertainty. But sages don't consider the past. And they don't worry about the future. Nor do they Dirk Nowitzki Shoes cling to the present. And from moment to moment they follow the Way.-------《Zen Poems》

May 19, 2010 | url

louboutin shoes said:

http://www.christianlouboutinshoes-mall.com louboutin shoes What Does a Shoe Designer Do?Most women lust over the latest Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos. christian louboutin shoes** They drool over Christian Louboutin's latest red-soled creations and sometimes steal away to the shoe department at Saks to try on a coveted pair. Some women are lucky enough to purchase such a luxury, and a chosen few have closets full of them. Blahnik, Choo and Louboutin are some of the superstars of shoe designing, so famous that they even take time out of their busy christian louboutin** schedules to autograph their creations for eager fans. But what did they do to become such masters of their trade? And what does it takes to be a shoe designer?

April 28, 2010 | url

walking shoes said:

http://www.mbtshoeshop-online.com walking shoes MBT Shoes--Good Walking Shoes for Problem Feet. 传奇私服** Masai Barefoot Technology shoes have no heel; they force you to roll from heel to foot with each step, which is the proper walking technique. The shoe is heavy and takes getting used to, 最新私服** but is recommended as a solution for problem feet.

April 28, 2010 | url

aviator sunglasses said:

http://www.sale-sunglasses.net "Love is not a thing to understand. Love is not a thing aviator sunglasses to feel. Love is not a thing to give and receive. Love is a thing only sunglasses 2010 to become And eternally be. ."----------《love》

April 19, 2010 | url

air jordan shoes said:

http://www.newaj.com air jordan shoes http://www.newaj.com/ air jordan shoes air jordan shoes

April 15, 2010 | url

6 rings Jordan said:

6 rings Jordan Good, i am attracted by you words,thanks!You make some good points. I like your post,thank you for taking the time to post this. http:// www.airjordans.cc/jordan-6-rings-37/

April 13, 2010 | url

louboutin shoes said:

http://www.christianlouboutinpub.com christian louboutin shoes How to Find Discount Designer Shoes.christian louboutin shoes Shop online;Visit discount department stores;onsider consignment, Goodwill or Salvation Army;Head to the outlet malls;Sign up for coupons and mail-outs for your 英雄合击 favorite stores and designers.

April 13, 2010 | url

cheap nfl jerseys said:

http://www.nflfansjersey.com nfl jerseys As Google awaits approval of a controversial settlement with authors nfl football jerseys and book publishers, the company’s plan to create an immense digital library and bookstore may face yet another hurdle. nfl jerseys

April 12, 2010 | url

Air Jordan shoes said:

Air Jordan shoes How wonderful article, I am very interested in your story! By Air Jordan shoes

April 12, 2010 | url

mbt shoes said:

http://www.mbtshoeshop-online.com/ mbt Paterson Seen With Key Role in Response to Aide’s Abuse Case.Gov. mbt David A. Paterson personally helped draft a statement last month that he hoped would be endorsed mbt shoes by a woman involved in a domestic dispute with one of his top aides, proposing language asserting that there had been no violence in the encounter, according to three people with knowledge of the governor’s role.

March 26, 2010 | url

cheap ed hardy said:

http://www.ed-hardy.cc "Love is not a thing to understand. Love is not a thing cheap ed hardy to feel. Love is not a thing to give and receive. Love is a thing only nba shoes to become And eternally be. ."

March 23, 2010 | url

ed hardy said:

http://www.ed-hardy.cc The all star jerseyare excellent products suitable for year-round wear. Many people all know Ugg boots uk? and know they are very popular. But less people know that the Australian brand found international recognition in the 1970s when an Australian surfer named Brian Smith took several pairs of Egg ed hardy clothing to the United States – soon the boots were a fashionable choice with the California surfer set, and these days are even seen in fashion shows of the worlds finest designers.

March 17, 2010 | url

英雄合击 said:

http://www.pk3333.com 传奇SF Google Buys Picnik, a Photo Editing Service.英雄合击 The online photo editing service Picnik announced Monday that it had been acquired by Google.According to a blog post on the company’s Web site, 传奇SF Picnik began as an online service that allows users to edit digital photos directly in their browsers without having to download software.

March 05, 2010 | url

ed hardy said:

http://www.ed-hardy.cc The buy ed hardy are excellent products suitable for year-round wear. Many people all know Ugg boots uk? and know they are very popular. But less people know that the Australian brand found international recognition in the 1970s when an Australian surfer named Brian Smith took several pairs of Egg ed hardy for sale to the United States – soon the boots were a fashionable choice with the California surfer set, and these days are even seen in fashion shows of the worlds finest designers.

February 25, 2010

ed hardy outlet said:

http://www.ed-hardy.cc Seriously I'd say that a lot of athletes and sportsmen and women take ed hardy women. If a drug that effective and being available for so long ed hardy jeans has had no reliable way to test for it until the last few years then many athletes are going to have used it.

February 24, 2010 | url

air jordan said:

www.dunkmall.com What do men and beer have in common? nike dunk They're both empty from the neck up.

February 13, 2010 | url

ugg outlet said:

http://www.uggbootshome.net "Hope" is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings Ugg Boots the tune without the words And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it Uggs Outlet in the chillest land And on the strangest sea, Yet never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me. ---------------------《Hope is the Thing with Feathers》

January 13, 2010 | url

topugg boots said:

topugg boots UGG snow boots for the true, false distinction, in fact,ugg boots for sale there are many methods and experiences, here are some lessons learned for the buyer to User information.(1): First of all, say something a few yards, and packaging.buy ugg boots Practitioners for 13 years this trip has never had the opportunity to see a few yards wide.

January 08, 2010 | url

ugg outlet said:

http://www.cheapuggsonline.net Google's Nexus One wows when you turn it on.Here's uggs outlet the thing to know about the Nexus One right off the bat: The much ballyhooed "Google phone" that the search behemoth unveiled this week isn't as cool as the iPhone. Still, it is a very fine smartphone. In some respects it compares favorably to Apple's wunderkind, but it cheap ugg comes up short in other key measures, such as storage for downloadable apps.

January 07, 2010 | url

uggs store said:

http://www.uggs-store.org Halfway through the year SPIN tipped their hand by offering the 20 Greatest Albums Of 2009 ... So Far. If you remember, the list wasn't in any specific order. Their 40 Best ugg boots store Albums Of 2009 are, and it's interesting to see all the titles that popped up after the last one was published. As well as the albums that missed the cut after Cheap watches they were spun a bit more: Peter Bjorn And John, Blk Jks, Regina Spektor, Glasvegas, Mavado, and Sa-Ra Creative Partners are nowhere to be found. The list -- one of oh so many lists -- is also refreshingly interesting in and of itself, a fine example of a publication stepping outside of the hive mentality and coming up with something that feels personal. Even if I don't personally agree with a lot of it.

December 27, 2009 | url

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment