The introductory text reads, Play is universal—all young children do it when they are with each other, if
they can. According to a 2017 study, U.S. 2- to 10-year-olds average 19 hours per week of screen time, exceeding the
15 hours they spend in indoor screen-free play by themselves or with others. Although children play outside for an
additional 11 hours per week, parents report that when indoors, their children’s screen time crowds out
screen-free play.
A bar graph shows What 2- to 10-Year-Olds do with their Free Time. Screen-based play: Screen
time of 18.6 hours per week, an illustration of an eye next to the screen time datum. Screen-free Play: outside play
of 10.6 hours per week, a sun next to the outside play datum; and indoor play of 14.6 hours per week, an
illustration of letter blocks next to the indoor pay datum. A silhouette of a child sitting cross-legged and
stretching upward is next to the graph.
A subheading reads, Way Too Much Screen Time. The following text
reads, Very few children have the recommended less than an hour of screen time per day. Some have much more. This is
particularly evident on weekends, when they should be playing outside or interacting with their families. What did
children do before 1950, without T V or computers? Talking, reading, cooking, cleaning, board games, ball games,
playing music, drawing pictures, writing letters (ellipsis) the list of things that some children never do could go
on and on! An illustration shows the silhouette of a kid lying on the stomach and gazing at a tablet. It shows how
many children spend 4 plus hours of screen time each weekend. For 2 to 5-year olds, it is 33 percent; 6 to 8-year
olds, 38 percent; and for 9 to 10-year olds, it is 42 percent.
A subheading reads, What Caregivers can do to
Encourage Play, and suggestions are offered for two age groups. Between these columns of ideas is a silhouette of a
child standing on his hands. For 1 to 3-year olds, the suggestions are as follows: Choose childcare and preschools
that emphasize unstructured playtime; Offer simple, inexpensive objects (blocks, empty containers, puzzles,
etcetera) not screens or fancy gadgets; Organize caregiver-supervised playdates with peers; Encourage make-believe
play; Sing songs and play rhythms that invite participation. For 4 to 6-year olds, the suggestions are as follows:
Provide opportunities for singing and dancing; Encourage a variety of movements in a safe environment (example,
hopping, swinging, climbing, and somersaulting); Blend make-believe games and reality (example, ‘playing
house’ and helping with chores); Encourage school officials to offer recess and play-centered learning
approaches, not just reading, memorization, and worksheets.