Imagine a drug that could enhance a child's creativity and critical thinking. Imagine that this drug were simple to make, safe (take) and could be had for free.
The nation's leading pediatricians (儿科医生) say this miracle compound exists. In a new clinical report, they are urging doctors to prescribe（开处方） to the children in their care.
What is this wonder drug? Play.
"This may seem old-fashioned, there are skills to be learned when kids are not told to do," said Dr. Michael Yogman, a Harvard Medical School pediatrician. it is physical play, outdoor play, or social or pretend play, kids draw important lessons from the chance to make things up as they go along, he said.
The advice, was issued in August by the American Academy of Pediatrics (美国儿科学会), may come as a shock to some parents. After they spend years (worry) over which toys to buy, which apps to download and which skill-building programs to send their kids to after school, letting them simply play — or better yet, playing with them — may seem like a step backward.
The pediatricians insist that it is not. The academy does not include specific recommendations for the amount of play. Instead, it (ask) doctors to advise parents before their babies turn two play is essential to healthy development.
When parents engage in play with their children, it deepens relationships and offsets（抵消）the bad effects of all kinds of stress, including poverty, the academy says. In the pediatricians' view, essentially every life skill (value) in adults can be built up with play.
