FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW REPORT:
“High-Quality” Digital Play Balanced with Traditional Play is Best for Kids
New York – April 3, 2018 | Digital play is sometimes dismissed as empty time that doesn’t engage kids, but experts say there are many benefits to letting kids play in today’s digital playground. The key is to balance screen-based play with traditional play and ensure that digital entertainment is high-quality, as well as parental involvement, according to a panel of child development and digital media experts convened by The Genius of Play during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. The panel’s findings are included in a new report that’s now available: “Why Play is the Secret Sauce for Raising the Next Generation of Digital Innovators, A Special Report by The Genius of Play.”
“Kids learn and develop crucial skills through all types of play – structured and unstructured, as well as traditional and digital play,” said Ken Seiter, The Toy Association’s executive vice president of marketing communications and the panel’s moderator. “It’s important that parents understand that screen-based or online play does not have to be an all or nothing experience. Our panel of experts was extremely knowledgeable and shared best practices for appropriately fostering kids’ development through digital play.”
INSIGHTS FROM THE PANEL:
- Play exists in a variety of arenas and forms.
Opportunities for play are everywhere: at home, in school, in stores, at amusement parks, etc. Kids get the most benefit when traditional and digital play exist simultaneously, in a balanced environment.
- The best kind of digital play is high-quality content that’s designed with clear learning objectives.
These objectives should include: improving cognitive thinking; building language skills; encouraging social skills; and/or promoting creativity.
- Technology gives kids a variety of perspectives on the world.
Technology supports traditional play by reinforcing key values and adding another dimension to the play experience. For instance, apps and gameplay can bring unique worlds to life and allow children to explore these worlds in a new way.
- Technology can also help drive the benefits of play by emphasizing personalized and adaptive learning.
The best kind of high-tech play involves quality engagement in short bursts that engages kids while extending their knowledge in other areas. For instance, if a system can detect a child struggling with a particular concept, offering tutorials or prompts is an area where technology can really help kids learn.
- Parents are highly encouraged to participate in their child’s digital play and ask questions.
Implementing this type of interaction at an early age builds on communication skills between parent and child, develops trust, and prepares children for more serious talks about internet safety as they grow.
“Why Play is the Secret Sauce for Raising the Next Generation of Digital Innovators, A Special Report by The Genius of Play” can be downloaded at TheGeniusOfPlay.org.
About The Genius of Play
The Genius of Play is a national movement to raise awareness of play’s vital role in child development, spearheaded by the Toy Association. Deeply rooted in research and facts, The Genius of Play is a leading resource on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional benefits of play that serve children throughout their lives. The Genius of Play enables today’s busy parents and caretakers to use the power of play to help raise a happier, healthier, and more productive next generation. Visit
TheGeniusOfPlay.org for easily accessible play ideas and tips, expert advice and other play resources. It’s More Than Play!