Play to gain

Devices and modern lifestyle pressures threaten the vital role of play in child development.

New Zealand children spend more than a third of their after-school time looking at screens, according to research from the University of Otago tracking the activity of 11-13-year-olds. Although there is a place for digital devices, and using them does have some benefits, a range of different types of play is important for brain development and to set upskills that will help children in later in life.

"Play is found throughout the animal kingdom," says University of Auckland research fellow Felicia Low. "You could almost say that we evolved to play, because of the benefits it produces."

Low leads the knowledge hub for maternal and child health at Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, a think tank at the university. She has been examining the science around play to produce an evidence brief outlining why creative and engaging play is so critical and how we can make sure children have enough.

Low says expensive toys aren't required and play can take many forms, but generally it falls into two categories, structured and unstructured.