Attention Tiger Moms, Your Kid Needs to Play!

Summertime Play Can Help Kids Become Well-Rounded, Successful, and Happy Adults

San Jose, California (June 30, 2011) – Most children today have more adult directed activities than ever before, from academic studies to the hyper-scheduled piano, soccer, and ballet practice routines. In this age of the “Tiger Mom” where parents feel the pressure to intervene so their child can achieve excellence and perfection, when does a child have time to play? Recent studies have shown that if kids are given time for creative play, they will be more innovative and happier adults later in life.

“We want our kids to grow up to be successful, happy adults and to be well-rounded,” shares Moira Sullivan, a pediatric occupational therapist and blogger for eIndividualHealth.com. “Many kids are in sports or piano lessons that are adult directed play, but there is not a lot of opportunity for adult supervised play.”

Sullivan believes that adult directed play is important for a child’s development in learning rules, structure, cooperation, and developing motor skills. But adult supervised play, where a child is supervised but not directed during playtime, helps develop creativity, problem solving, and the ability to think for oneself. A balance between the two will encourage a more well-rounded and resilient child, leading to a happy, successful adult.

Adult supervised play during the summer could include some of the following activities: playing in the sprinkler, building sand-castles at the beach, putting together a puzzle, or exploring a local or state park.

“You can still be a strong parent and allow your children to play,” adds Sullivan. “If they play, they will be more creative. If they are more creative now, they will be more innovative later.” Innovation is the cornerstone of success.

For more information on child development, visit www.eIndividualHealth.com, a full-service insurance agency that offers practical health insurance advice to individuals, families, young adults, and small businesses. eIndividualHealth is the sister company of Filice Insurance, one of the largest employee benefits and insurance consulting firms in Northern California, serving large and mid-size business consumers.

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Kelley Jensen

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