Photo: apdk

What does it mean when we teach our kids they have to work harder and harder just to survive?

That having a childhood where they get to run around with other kids just having fun is no longer an option?

That regurgitating information constantly leads to stunted creative thought?

It means many kids are highly stressed, overwhelmed, and depressed:

Just as we’ve done for ourselves as adults, we’ve eliminated nights, weekends, and holidays for kids by making them work right through them all. Unfortunately, much of this is repetitive busy work, which has shown little positive impact on achievement.

No Child Left Behind has been an almost complete failure. AP classes in Science have not increased performance in college for this subject area.

Depression in kids more than doubled from 1995 to 2002 (though this may partly be attributed to other reasons, such as higher rates of diagnosis, there is certainly a connection between the stress put on kids and feelings of sadness and failure).

What’s the antidote? It’s easy: Play.

Even big companies are starting to get that. But if you need more convincing, check out some studies on play.

Here’s some other ways you can take action.

Share and Enjoy