This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in ...

Why play matters for children and adults: how free play supports development, reduces stress, boosts creativity, and ...

When was the last time you saw a child completely absorbed in play—building a block tower, chasing friends through a backyard, or creating imaginary worlds with whatever materials they could find?

If you’ve ever sat down on the playroom floor, picked up a block, and immediately started narrating a lesson about shapes and colors… you’re not alone. Most of us parent in an era that tells us every ...

With the help of their stuffed animals or figurines, many toddlers and preschoolers play “teacher,” “doctor” or “firefighter,” drawing early inspiration from the careers they observe in their ...