Message #30 From:
NewsBot Date: December 12, 2006 06:45:00 AM
HAS News Should Young Kids Just Play?
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the recent American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report, which
illustrates that free, unstructured play is essential for helping
children reach important developmental milestones, a new national survey
conducted by PLAYSKOOL, a division of Hasbro, Inc., reveals that a
majority of parents are struggling to embrace the notion of just letting
their kids play.
The survey, which polled more than 500 parents nationwide, sought to
uncover attitudes and opinions on free play within their child’s
life. While 55% of parents believe that the most important role of a toy
is to entertain, a surprising 67% think children should start playing
with educational toys by six months of age.
“Regardless of the generation or the location
on this planet, play is a universal truth for kids. It’s
the very cornerstone of their childhood,” said
New York pediatrician, Dr. Laura Popper. “I
see parents with the best and most loving intentions superimposing adult
values on their children. I advise my patients not to look at play as
wasted time. In fact, it’s probably the most
valuable time of all for kids.”
Additional responses from parents revealed the following about how they
feel about their child’s playtime:
94.7% feel it’s very important that their
child enjoy their playtime
82% of parents are influenced by educational messaging on product
packaging when shopping for toys
Nearly 59% said they sometimes let their adult ideas and/or opinions
influence their child’s playtime
“Too many toys in the market today have lost
sight of the value of play,” said Lorrie
Browning, general manager, PLAYSKOOL. “There
is a significant need for pure playtime in a child’s
life, specifically in the early developmental stages. The role of toys
should support and encourage the value of free, unstructured, fun play.“
About HASBRO, INC.
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS - News) is a worldwide leader in children's and family
leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design,
manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to
high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA,
MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands
and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play
experiences in the world.
