In a world filled with scheduled activities and academic goals, the simple act of unstructured play is becoming endangered for primary school children. A clinical psychologist warns that this deficit is a major contributor to early childhood stress and burnout, and she is urging parents to reclaim this essential part of childhood.
According to clinical psychologist Meghna Kanwat, a balanced schedule for young children must be built on a ‘Play-Rest-Learn’ foundation. She explicitly advises against “overloading with too many competitive or high-pressure tasks.” Instead, she champions the importance of unstructured play—time where children direct their own activities without adult guidance or specific goals.
This type of play is crucial for healthy development. It’s where children learn to negotiate with peers, solve problems creatively, and process their emotions. It allows their brains to rest from the demands of structured learning, preventing the mental fatigue that can lead to burnout. Giving children space to be bored is often the catalyst for their greatest creativity.
When parents prioritize unstructured play, they send a powerful message: childhood is a time for exploration and joy, not just for preparation and achievement. This helps cultivate a love for learning that is intrinsic and not dependent on external rewards or pressures, which is a key protective factor against burnout later in life.
Kanwat’s advice is a call to action for parents to protect their children’s time and mental space. By intentionally carving out time for free play, ensuring adequate rest, and keeping academic pressures in check, parents can provide the nurturing environment young children need to develop at their own pace and build a resilient foundation for the future.
