TABLE 3.

The role of pediatricians on games and toys^*

Pediatricians are child spokespersons who encourage families to develop healthy, self-confident, adequate progress into the future and to voice their special needs. They should emphasize the importance of play and fulfill this advocacy regarding the selection of toys

Pediatricians should emphasize the advantages of active play and discourage parents from excessive use of passive en-tertainment such as television and computer games. They should appreciate the positive behavior of parents who share unplanned spontaneous time with their children and play with their children

While parents can certainly monitor the game for safety, they should stress that much of the game should be led by children rather than adults. Games are much more useful when active child centered

Pediatricians should emphasize that the cornerstones of parenting are listening, caring, counseling through appropriate discipline, and enjoyable time sharing. Game is also an important component of this enjoyable time. It serves as a happy childhood springboard for successful adulthood

Pediatricians should assist parents in evaluating claims made by marketers and advertisers about products or interventions designed to produce super kids

Pediatricians should highlight the proven benefits of reading to their children, even from very early ages. They should also sug-gest reading as part of the game

Pediatricians should recommend toys that develop children’s imaginations, such as blocks and dolls, instead of passive toys that require limited imagination

Pediatricians can support parents for socializing purposes, starting from an early preschool age of about 2.5–3 years old, for arranging playgroups where many children play in the process of transitioning from parallel to cooperative play

Pediatricians should advocate the development of safe playgrounds for use after school hours and at the weekends in neighborhoods where resources are scarce

Pediatricians should meet with other pediatric professionals and parents to advocate for educational environments that promote optimal academic, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development for children and adolescents. When parents choose early education programs for their children, pediatricians should emphasize the importance of choosing settings that offer more than “academic preparation”

^*:This table is inspired by the source below. Ginsburg KR; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Communications; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics. 2007 Jan;119(1):182-91.