Many of us remember our childhood fondly. Those days where we had no worries and could just play and play to our hearts content. And we all want those same experiences for our own children, but it seems like sometimes the basics of play get left behind with new technology, and new, passive children's entertainment. There are an endless supply of toys out there, but it seems like some of the classics are being replaced with television and video games. These passive pursuits don't give our kids the same benefits as things like role playing and dress up.

With the influx of new toys with bigger and better technology, it's important that the basic elements of “play” don't get lost among them. Toys that call for active uses of the imagination are still very important. And though we may be trying to make our kids geniuses by teaching them a new language or sports, it's important to begin with the basics. After all, you can't learn to read before you learn the alphabet, and it's the same with play. Playing teaches are kids the basics, and helps them grow and learn to be better people.

Here's why:

1. We all know that playing a sport is healthy. Organized sports can teach children discipline, competitiveness, and give them an understanding of how team work can benefit everyone. But before they can run, they must learn to walk. They learn the basics of sports through play. This includes such things as running outside, playing hide and seek, or even hopscotch. As a young child I learned to interact with the neighborhood kids with the game of “Ghost,” where we chased each other around someone's house as soon as it got dark out. These types of activities are the building blocks for understanding even more about team work and team spirit through organized sports.

2. Play also helps develop a child's creativity and imagination as they create their own universe. This can have many benefits, including allowing them to explore their own interests (and potential career paths). For example, they could play “school” and be the teacher, or they could use their stuffed lions and tigers to help them pretend to be a researching studying the jungle. Or they could even pretend to be Snow White talking to all the enchanted forest animals. Creating these scenarios allows them to tell their own stories and develop their brains, certainly a much more active pursuit then merely having stories told to them through television or video games. And of course, these made up games also tend to be much less violent then what's on the television.

3. Play is also educational, and as has been previously touched on a little, can also build social skills. For example, it's educational because a child playing with a stuffed tiger is learning about the real animal's habitat, diet, and characteristics. And social skills can be developed when children play these imaginative games together. They have to learn how to agree on what they are playing, teaching them the art of compromise, and how to create an imaginative world that they can all share. They learn that it's important to depend on others. For example, when it comes to jumping rope, two kids have to hold the rope before another can jump.

We cannot underestimate the importance of play to our children's development. Play is healthy, and contains the building blocks of socialization they will need to function in the real world. Remember, it's never “just” play. As they play the children are developing their creativity and sociability. We should certainly encourage are children to engage in more active play. One way to do this is join in on the play, you could pretend to be the student in their classroom, or be the mighty king in the emerald castle. Be a part of their development, and help them create wonderful memories. After all, the fun of play is what makes us all look back on our childhood with fondness.