Are kids suffering from Play Deficit Disorder?

The American Academy of Pediatrics, a prestigious group of 67,000 pediatricians, issued a major scientific report last month complete with 147 references to promote a revolutionary prescription to “buffer toxic stress, build parental relationships and improve executive functioning” in children.

One of the lead authors, Dr. Michael Yogman, is recommending that “doctors write a prescription for play, because it’s so important.”

When I first read this press release, I thought it was a joke. Why would a well-respected group of professionals waste their time telling us what every parent already knows? Play is more than frivolous fun. It is incredibly important for kids’ development. Do we need doctors to write a prescription to tell our kids to run, jump, hang around, and enjoy their friends?

The report provided scientific justification to support the importance of play in children’s lives. Kids learn a lot when they are left to play alone or with friends. They figure out how to solve problems, reduce stress, be creative, deal with frustration, and develop their passion for life.

The disturbing part of this report is the documentation of how our kids’ play time has decreased in recent years. Approximately 30 percent of kindergarteners no longer have recess, and playtime overall decreased 25 percent from 1981 to 1997 according to the report in Pediatrics. The restriction on play time has become so intense that Florida recently mandated that each elementary student has 20 minutes of recess every day. Just 16 percent of states require that our kids get recess daily.

The threats to our kids’ play time come from a myriad of sources. The ridiculous focus on standardized testing in schools is one of the main culprits. Testing has replaced learning, and sitting behind a desk has been mistaken for learning about things that matter. Teachers know that their students are better learners when they have a chance to move around, run, stretch, and do silly things with classmates.

Parents share most of the blame for this “Play Deficit Disorder.” I recently moved into a new neighborhood, and rarely see children playing outside. A few weeks ago, I was shocked to see hundreds of kids waiting (with their parents) for the school bus. What do these kids do when they get home from school? I suspect most are not allowed to play alone in their neighborhood, but rather are seduced by endless hours of mindless YouTube videos.

Parental focus on structure and control is ruining kids’ play time. Many children are scheduled with an overabundance of adult controlled activities, leaving them little time just to be children.

Next time you visit your doctor, don’t embarrass yourself by asking for a “prescription for play.” Just do what you know is right.

Next week: Deaths of despair.

Dr. Ramey is the executive director of Dayton Children's Hospital's Pediatric Center for Mental Health Resources and can be contacted at Rameyg@childrensdayton. org.

Dear Readers: Fires can break out in our homes and spread incredibly fast. Be aware that the heat and smoke can be more dangerous than flames, and gases can make you and your family members sleepy. The leading cause of fire deaths is asphyxiation, even more than burns.

The minute you smell smoke or see flames, take these steps:

■ For a small fire, grab an extinguisher and put it out. However, if you cannot quickly get the flames under control, leave the house ASAP.

■ If you are behind a closed door, first use the back of your hand to touch the doorknob and the top of the door before you open it. If the door is hot or warm, do not open it. Instead, try to get out through a window, if possible. If the door is cool, open it a bit to see if there is a clear escape route. Be sure to close the door as you leave to stop the fire from spreading.

■ If you see smoke, get down on the floor and crawl under the smoke. The poisonous gases and smoke rise first to the ceiling.

After all family members are out of the house, call 911. Gather your family and go over these escape plans often so your children will know what to do. — Heloise

Sample credit cards

Dear Heloise: I have a great use for the sample credit cards that come in the mail. I find it is most helpful to use them as pot scrapers. They clear off the stuff stuck to my pans, like oatmeal or cream soups. Best of all, they do so without scratching the pan, so this hint is especially good for nonstick surfaces. — Elizabeth from Oregon

Dirty American flag?

Dear Readers: If you display an American flag in your yard, give it a quick check every so often to see how it’s surviving the weather — sun, rain and wind. Make sure that it hasn’t become torn or ripped. To make it last longer, keep it clean. If the flag is nylon, cotton or acetate, hand-wash with cool water and gently scrub with a mild detergent. Rinse well. Lay the flag flat and allow it to dry. But if the flag is older, sentimental or valuable, take it to a dry cleaner. — Heloise

Orange-colored stains

Dear Heloise: Whenever I cook spaghetti, which is a family favorite, the red sauce always seems to end up on my children’s clothing. Those stains are hard to remove, along with French salad dressing, another family favorite. What can I do? — Katy from Massachusetts

Dear Katy: Here’s how to remove it from clothing with synthetic fibers or cottons, but do NOT use this method on silk fabric. Grab a clean, cotton cloth and dampen with water and then moisten with a squeeze of lemon juice or a tad of white vinegar. Turn the clothing inside out, put it on a towel and dab the stain until it’s gone. Do not rub because that can spread the stain. Rinse well in clear water. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.