Is your child overscheduled? There is so much pressure on parents to get their child in the right activities. If you are not involved in Kindermusic, Gymboree, watching the right videos and accomplished in three sports by age 5, you must be a failure as a parent. Here’s some music to the ears of overscheduled kids and parents: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime. Time for free play where they use their imagination, to be creative, to dream and discover their passions.

It has been suggested that children spend less time reading, doing art and other creative things because they are watching more television and playing more video games. David Elkind, child psychologist, is the author of two books on the subject, "The Hurried Child",and “The Power of Play. How spontaneous, imaginative activities lead to happier and healthier children.” He tells how children's free play is all but lost in today's society of adult organized activities. The focus should be on letting the child make decisions and lead the play time and not so concerned with doing the "right" activities.

When we slow down and let children just play, they will blossom into independent creative beings, ready to explore the world. Not to mention that this play time is the most cherished time of childhood.