AP | Doctors Urge More Playtime for Children

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 9, 2006
Filed at 1:13 a.m. ET

'CHICAGO (AP) -- Here's some soothing medicine for stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime.
Many parents load their children's schedules with get-smart videos, enrichment activities and lots of classes in a drive to help them excel. The efforts often begin as early as infancy.
Spontaneous, free play -- whether it's chasing butterflies, playing with ''true toys'' like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad -- often is sacrificed in the shuffle, a new academy report says. [...]'

Which brings me to a question: Is it true (or generally accepted) that free play is not stressful? -KDN