Study links play and mental health

Children who spend more time playing in playgrounds are happier and have better mental health, according to new analysis of a leading study of children’s play. For the first time, data has been examined from the British Children’s Pre-School Play Survey specifically to understand the role playgrounds play in children’s lives.

The study, by leading play expert, Professor Helen Dodd, reveals that playgrounds are not only the number one place for young children to play away from home, but that more frequent playground play is associated with better wellbeing. Among the findings was that children who spend more time playing in playgrounds are happier, while more frequent playground play is associated with better mental health and fewer emotional difficulties.