The Amazing Power of Play

From a baby’s first social smiles to the imaginative games of a preschooler, playtime sets the foundation for learning and healthy relationships. But in an era of overscheduled kids and overworked parents, kids aren’t getting enough of it.

What exactly is play? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it’s any activity

Play at Mountain Park Academy

that is voluntary and “results in joyful discovery.” To put it simply: “There are really no rules or expectations.

The only expectation is that you have fun,” says Kathleen Hill, a licensed therapist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life.