Playing improves children's concentration, memory, problem solving skills: Doctor explains

There was a time when mothers would often sigh, "This child never comes inside once evening falls." Today, the refrain has changed completely. 'This child never goes out to play!' Times have changed, and so have children. Youngsters these days often break into a run only when their mobile phone battery is about to die, not in pursuit of a ball on the playground. Their fingers travel kilometres each day across smartphone screens, but their feet rarely venture beyond the front yard of their homes. Dr Jose John, Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, Government Medical College, Palakkad, explains why playing is extremely important for children. 

Parents spare no effort to give their children the best life possible. They invest in top schools, tuition classes, coaching centres, English lessons and the latest gadgets, hoping to prepare them for a successful future. Yet, somewhere along the way, many overlook the greatest gift they can give their children: a real childhood. If you want to understand a society's future, look at its playgrounds. Communities where playgrounds are filled with children are often the ones where hospitals remain comparatively quiet.

What medical science says about playgrounds
Many parents worry that time spent on the playground comes at the expense of academic success. Medical science, however, suggests just the opposite. Children who engage in regular physical activity develop better concentration and sharper memory. Their ability to solve problems improves, stress levels fall, and self-confidence grows.

Running, jumping and playing stimulate the brain to produce higher levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein many researchers describe as `fertiliser for the brain.' It helps children learn more effectively, strengthens memory and improves communication between brain cells. Play, therefore, is not the enemy of education. It is one of its strongest allies.

Studies from around the world have found that children who regularly take part in sports and physical activities are far less likely to experiment with tobacco, alcohol or other addictive substances.