The purpose of Power of Play is to establish a lot positive reinforcement toward your children, and keeping it genuine. In a three-act system of acknowledging the problem, staging an intervention, and resolving family involvement, David Elkind is interested in bring family life back into existence. He’s also interested in balance, specifically reconnecting with a growing child by letting her develop versus being sped along by society. As a parent, there would be constant worry of whether children are catching the subliminal messages as well as the liminal ones of today’s world being compressed into DVDs and video games. The lifestyles connected to these processed mediums are mind-numbing, overstimulating, and desensitize that natural wonder of games like peek-a-boo and a game of catch that are underrated in today’s fast paced conditioning. What Elkind encourages with the fancy words of a child psychologist is give your children a Childhood. Give them something to be nostalgic about. It’s as simple as turning off the electronics, having a night out together, and to literally go out and play with your children—no matter what age of either party involved. Get them interested, get them excited, resume a relationship that lasts beyond their toddler years and it would benefit everyone immensely. It’s all about setting an example for future generations, and keeping happiness on an obtainable level. Elkind advocates that keeping up with the growing child not only sets an example of a healthy relationship but encourages the people involved to be healthy and fulfilled, mentally, spiritually and physically.
Elkind, A. A. (2006). The Power of Play: How spontaneous, imaginative activities lead to happier, healthier children. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.
