Thread: Doctors: Let kids be kids

Merry-go-round life isn't so merry for kids
Updated 10/9/2006
Michelle Williams, Tuscaloosa News via AP
By Marilyn Elias, USA TODAY

U.S. pediatricians should add "stress checks" to children's exams to ensure that overbooking of enrichment activities isn't hurting their physical or mental health, the American Academy of Pediatrics says Monday.

The report, intended to guide doctors, laments that time for imaginative free play is slipping away from American kids. They need blocks, dolls, books, physical play and, at all ages, "downtime," says pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Instead, some live in an orchestrated world of heavily marketed videos, computer games and TV and constant schlepping to adult-organized activities, says Ginsburg, author of the report. "A lot of pediatricians are seeing stress in children with this kind of schedule. It's not true for all kids, but it is a serious problem," Ginsburg says.

The report doesn't apply to children from low-income families, who often need more enrichment, he says. The pediatrics group has posted a website to help teens create their own stress-reduction program (www.aap.org/stress and click on "Teens Only"). The academy also has published a new book, A Parent's Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens ($15.95).

Parents should be urged to tailor activities to their child's temperament rather than keep up with the Joneses' kid, the report says.

The pediatricians' stand was applauded by psychologist David Elkind, author of the classic book The Hurried Child, published nearly 25 years ago. "They're late," he says, "but better late than never."

The bad rap for play is based on an illusion that play is not learning, Elkind says. "Free play is a way children create new learning experiences for themselves," he says. Elkind's new book, The Power of Play, is due in January.

"I just hope parents will listen to the doctors on this," says Muffy Mead-Ferro, author of Confessions of a Slacker Mom, a memoir of relaxed parenting. "So much is about competition among parents. They think, 'My child is going to underperform, and this will reflect badly on me.' "

But others tout enrichment or think the pediatricians are exaggerating this problem.

In her study of elementary-school students, only a quarter had three or more activities or spent more than four hours a week at them, says University of Maryland sociologist Sandra Hofferth. Her research also finds that today's parents spend more time with their children than did parents 20 years ago.

In a large, new national study of school-age kids, the more activities a child had, the better his grades and adjustment. Other research also suggests that activities help children, says study author Joseph Mahoney, a Yale University psychologist.

Only 6% of teens spent 20 hours or more a week on activities; 40% of all kids — mostly those with less educated or poorer parents — did nothing extra, he says.

Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute in New York, thinks the pediatricians are right. She doesn't doubt that children cherish free time: Her studies show they consider "hang-around time" their best time with parents.

But the doctors also should confront "marketers who push all those 'drill and practice' toys," she says, and employers who make it hard for parents. Flexible work schedules have increased, but two out of five working parents feel there's a penalty for using them, and less than one-third say they have control over work schedules. "Pediatricians need to be talking not only to parents but to people who create the world in which parents are raising kids today," Galinsky says.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...freetime_x.htm



Lara Stancil plays games with her son Stephen, 5, at their home in Tuscaloosa, Ala. A report warns that time for imaginative free play is slipping away from American kids. They need blocks, dolls, books, physical play and, at all ages, "downtime," says one Philadelphia pediatrician.

RED FLAGS IN BEHAVIOR

Some symptoms suggest a child may need more free time; others are normal for a child that age. Pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg offers a guide to sorting out "red flag" behaviors from normal behaviors.

Preschool

Red flags Sad or withdrawn. Persistent trouble sleeping. Body aches not explained by illness. Repeatedly resists attending an activity.

Normal behaviors Cranky if tired. Nervous before new activities. Some temper outbursts.

School-age preteens

Red flags Unexplained irritability, anger, moodiness. Repeatedly nervous about an activity. Makes excuses not to attend an activity. Poor concentration at school. Frequent psychosomatic complaints.

Normal behaviors Looks forward to next activity, even if active in many things. Jitters before big performances or games. Does well academically. Continues to have interests besides the outside activity.

Teenagers

Red flags Extreme sadness, rage or irritability (beyond typical adolescent moodiness). Perfectionism (must have perfect grade, game or performance). School failure. Unexplained physical symptoms such as stomach or headaches. Drug use. Hygiene changes (for example, doesn't bathe or care for body).

Normal behaviors Happy, even if extremely busy. Does well academically. Has good friendships. Sleeps well. Has free time to explore interests.

Maybe its just where we live, but I dont understand all the pressure to get into a "good" high school. We live in the city, so my kids go to the city school. If we lived in the county, they would go to the county school. They dont do any extra curicular(sp) activities unless they want to. My oldest played jr high football and my middle one played Pop Warner/Little League. As a general rule, they are "just kids" with a few regular chores.


As far as college, the local college(Western Kentucky University, its a good one) will let almost anyone into the 2 yr program(as long as your high school grades are good) and then you can transfer to the 4 yr program if you pass your 2 yr program classes. I dont think I have ever heard of anyone being turned down because they didnt "do" enough outside of school in high school.